23 Those two prophets did very bad things among the people of Israel. They did the sin of adultery {\cf2\super [227]} with their neighbors’ wives. They also spoke lies and said those lies were a message from me, the Lord. I did not tell them to do those things. I know what they have done. I am a witness.” This message is from the Lord.
23 because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.
23 Because they have committed folly in Israel and have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives and have spoken words in My name falsely, which I had not commanded them. I am the One Who knows and I am witness, says the Lord.
23 because they have wrought folly in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives, and have spoken words in my name falsely, which I commanded them not; and I am he that knoweth, and am witness, saith Jehovah.
23 They committed a horrible scandal in Israel—adultery with their neighbors’ wives and deceit spoken in my name, with which I had nothing to do. Yet I’m still aware of it and am witness to it, declares the LORD.
23 For they have acted foolishly in Israel, and they have committed adultery with the wives of their friends, and they have spoken lying words in my name, which I did not command them. I am the Judge and the Witness, says the Lord.
Then I will come to you—and I will do the right thing. I will be like a person that is ready to tell the judge about the bad things people did. Some people do evil magic. Some people do the sin of adultery. {\cf2\super [19]} Some people make false promises. Some people cheat their workers—they don’t pay them the money they promised. People don’t help widows and orphans. {\cf2\super [20]} People don’t help strangers. People don’t respect me!” The Lord All-Powerful said these things.
Now I have seen the prophets of Judah\par do those terrible things in Jerusalem.\par These prophets do the sin of adultery. {\cf2\super [187]} \par They listened to lies—and they obeyed\par those false teachings.\par They encourage wicked people\par to continue doing evil things.\par So the people did not stop sinning.\par They are like the people of Sodom {\cf2\super [188]} .\par Now Jerusalem is like Gomorrah {\cf2\super [189]} to me.”\par
Nothing in all the world can be hidden from God. He can clearly see all things. Everything is open before him. And to him we must explain the way we have lived.
The Lord All-Powerful says this about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah: “These two men have been preaching lies to you. They have said that their message is from me. \{But they were lying.\} I will give those two prophets to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. And Nebuchadnezzar will kill those prophets in front of all you people that are captives in Babylon.
You ask, “Why are our gifts not accepted by the Lord?” Why? Because the Lord saw the bad things you did—he is a witness {\cf2\super [14]} against you. He saw you cheat on your wife. You have been married to that woman since you were young. She was your girlfriend. Then you made your vows {\cf2\super [15]} to each other—and she became your wife. \{But you cheated on her\}.
Her prophets {\cf2\super [20]} are always making their secret plans to get more and more. Her priests have treated holy things like they are not holy. They have done bad things to God’s teachings.
I saw the terrible things you did. {\cf2\super [117]} \par I saw you laughing\par and having sex with your lovers.\par I know about your plans\par to be like a prostitute. {\cf2\super [118]} \par I have seen you on the hills\par and in the fields.\par It will be very bad for you, Jerusalem.\par I wonder how long you will continue doing\par your dirty sins.”\par
In the fields, Jacob’s sons heard the news about what happened. They were very angry when they heard this. They were mad because Shechem had brought shame to Israel by raping Jacob’s daughter. The brothers came in from the fields as soon as they heard about the terrible thing Shechem had done.
The elders (leaders) from Gilead said to Jephthah, “The Lord is listening to everything we are saying. And we promise to do all that you tell us to do.”
This temple {\cf2\super [58]} is called by my name! Is this temple nothing more to you than a hideout for robbers? I have been watching you.’” This message is from the Lord.
“Jeremiah, send this message to all the captives {\cf2\super [230]} in Babylon: ‘This is what the Lord says about Shemaiah, the man from the Nehelam family: Shemaiah has preached to you, but I didn’t send him. Shemaiah has made you believe a lie.
The Lord All-Powerful says these things:\par “Don’t pay attention to the things\par that those prophets are saying to you.\par They are trying to fool you.\par Those prophets talk about visions. {\cf2\super [190]} \par But they did not get their visions from me.\par Their visions come from their own minds.\par
I am against the false prophets that preach fake dreams.” This message is from the Lord. “They mislead my people with their lies and false teachings. I did not send those prophets to teach the people. I never commanded them to do anything for me. They can’t help the people of Judah at all.” This message is from the Lord.