For from the least of them even to the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest every one deals falsely.
But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink have left the pathway; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up by wine, they have left the pathway through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
If I go out into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold those who are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they do not know.
As the partridge sits on eggs, and does not hatch them; so he that gets riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.
The priests did not say, Where is the LORD? and those who handle the law did not know me: the shepherds also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourns; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their power is not used rightly.
For I have not sent them, says the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that you might perish, you, and the prophets that prophesy to you.
Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even to the greatest, came near,
Therefore will I give their wives to others, and their fields to those who shall inherit them: for every one from the least even to the greatest is given to covetousness; from the prophet even to the priest every one deals falsely.
In you have they taken bribes to shed blood; you have taken interest and unjust gain, and you have greedily gained from your neighbors by extortion, and have forgotten me, says the Lord GOD.
And they come to you as the people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goes after their covetousness.
Their heads judge for reward, and their priests teach for wages, and their prophets divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? no evil can come upon us.
Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who make my people err, who bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he who does not put something into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who secretly shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord who purchased them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
And through covetousness shall they with deceitful words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now for a long time has not delayed, and their damnation does not slumber.