Yahweh says: “I did not send these so-called prophets, yet they ran eagerly to prophesy their message. I did not speak to them, yet they claimed to prophesy in my name.
Then Yahweh replied: “The prophets are using my name to lie to the people. I’ve not sent them or commissioned them. I’ve not spoken a word to them. They prophesy false promises and speak of an imaginary future—things they have made up in their minds.
‘I have not sent them,’ declares Yahweh. ‘They lie when they affirm that they are speaking in my name. If you listen to them, I will drive you out. You will be destroyed—you and the prophets who are lying to you.’ ”
I am against the prophets who boast in their lies,” declares Yahweh. “They lead my people astray by their lying prophecies, dreams, and exaggerations. I affirm that I never sent them or commissioned them; they are no good at all for these people,” declares Yahweh.
So Saul and Barnabas, and their assistant Mark (known as John), were directed by the Holy Spirit to go to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they went to the synagogues and declared the Word of God.
“Send another letter to all the exiles in Babylon: I, Yahweh, have not chosen Shemaiah of Nehelam to be one of my prophets, and he has misled you by telling lies in my name.
And how can the message be proclaimed if messengers have yet to be sent? That’s why the Scriptures say: How welcome is the arrival of those proclaiming the joyful news of peace and of good things to come!
For Yahweh, the God of Israel, Commander of Angel Armies, says: “Do not be deceived by the false prophets in your midst or by those who presume to know the future. Pay no attention to their dreams,