Against the False Prophets

Ezekiel 13

The Lord condemns the prophets of Israel who prophesy out of their own imagination, seeing false visions and proclaiming peace where there is none, comparing their false assurances to a poorly built wall that will fall in a storm. He likewise condemns women who practice divination with charms to deceive the people, promising to tear these devices away and deliver his people from their influence.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonAGAIN a word of the Lord came to me saying,

BrentonAnd the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο λόγος Κυρίου πρὸς μὲ, λέγων,

KJVAnd the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

JPSAnd the word of the LORD came unto me, saying:

ThomsonSon of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel and thou shalt prophesy and say to them, Hear a word of the Lord!

BrentonSon of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, and thou shalt prophesy, and shalt say to them, Hear ye the word of the Lord:

Greekυἱὲ ἀνθρώπου, προφήτευσον ἐπὶ τοὺς προφήτας τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ προφητεύσεις, καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτοὺς, ἀκούσατε λόγον Κυρίου·

KJVSon of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;

JPS’Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own heart: Hear ye the word of the LORD:

ThomsonThus saith the Lord: Woe to the prophets who prophesy from their own hearts and see nothing.

BrentonThus saith the Lord, Woe to them that prophesy out of their own heart, and who see nothing at all.

GreekΤάδε λέγει Κύριος, οὐαὶ τοῖς προφητεύουσιν ἀπὸ καρδίας αὐτῶν, καὶ τὸ καθόλου μὴ βλέπουσιν.

KJVThus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

JPSThus saith the Lord GOD: Woe unto the vile prophets, that follow their own spirit, and things which they have not seen!

ThomsonLike foxes among ruins, thy prophets, O Israel, stood not for strength.

BrentonThy prophets, O Israel, are like foxes in the deserts.

GreekὩς ἀλώπεκες ἐν ταῖς ἐρήμοις οἱ προφῆταί σου, Ἰσραήλ·

KJVO Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.

JPSO Israel, thy prophets have been like foxes in ruins.

ThomsonWhen flocks were collected against the house of Israel, they who say,

BrentonThey have not continued steadfast, and they have gathered flocks against the house of Israel, they that say,

GreekΟὐκ ἔστησαν ἐν στερεώματι· καὶ συνήγαγον ποίμνια ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Ἰσραήλ· οὐκ ἀνέστησαν οἱ λέγοντες, ἐν ἡμέρᾳ Κυρίου,

KJVYe have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.

JPSYe have not gone up into the breaches, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel, to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.

ThomsonIn the day of the Lord, stood not up. They are seers of lies, they are prophesiers of vanities. They say, The Lord saith; though the Lord did not send them, in order to confirm a word they began with.

BrentonIn the day of the Lord, have not stood, seeing false visions, prophesying vanities, who say, The Lord saith, and the Lord has not sent them, and they began to try to confirm the word.

Greekβλέποντες ψευδῆ, μαντευόμενοι μάταια, οἱ λέγοντες, λέγει Κύριος, καὶ Κύριος οὐκ ἀπέσταλκεν αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἤρξαντο τοῦ ἀναστῆσαι λόγον.

KJVThey have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.

JPSThey have seen vanity and lying divination, that say: The LORD saith; and the LORD hath not sent them, yet they hope that the word would be confirmed!

ThomsonHave you not seen a false vision and spoken false prophesies?

BrentonHave ye not seen a false vision? and spoken vain prophecies?

GreekΟὐχὶ ὅρασιν ψευδῆ ἑωράκατε; καὶ μαντείας ματαίας εἰρήκατε;

KJVHave ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?

JPSHave ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say: The LORD saith; albeit I have not spoken?

ThomsonNow therefore say, Thus saith the Lord: Because your words are false and your prophesies vain; therefore behold I am against you, saith the Lord.

BrentonAnd therefore say, Thus saith the Lord; Because your words are false, and your prophecies are vain, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ διατοῦτο εἰπὸν, Τάδε λέγει Κύριος, ἄνθʼ ὧν οἱ λόγοι ὑμῶν ψευδεῖς, καὶ αἱ μαντεῖαι ὑμῶν μάταιαι, διατοῦτο ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς, λέγει Κύριος.

KJVTherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.

JPSTherefore thus saith the Lord GOD: Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.

ThomsonAnd I will stretch forth My hand against these prophets, who see falsehoods and prophesy vanities: they shall not be in the school of My people nor enrolled in the enrollment of the house of Israel; nor shall they enter into the land of Israel and they shall know that I am the Lord.

BrentonAnd I will stretch forth my hand against the prophets that see false visions, and those that utter vanities: they shall not partake of the instruction of my people, neither shall they be written in the roll of the house of Israel, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel; and they shall know that I am the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκτενῶ τὴν χεῖρά μου ἐπὶ τοὺς προφήτας τοὺς ὁρῶντας ψευδῆ, καὶ τοὺς ἀποφθεγγομένους μάταια· ἐν παιδείᾳ τοῦ λαοῦ μου οὐκ ἔσονται, οὐδὲ ἐν γραφῇ οἴκου Ἰσραὴλ οὐ γραφήσονται, καὶ εἰς τὴν γῆν τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ οὐκ εἰσελεύσονται, καὶ γνώσονται διότι ἐγὼ Κύριος·

KJVAnd mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

JPSAnd My hand shall be against the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies; they shall not be in the council of My people, neither shall they be written in the register of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

ThomsonBecause they have led My people astray saying, Peace, when there was no peace. And when one buildeth a wall they anoint it; it shall fall.

BrentonBecause they have caused my people to err, saying, Peace; and there is no peace; and one builds a wall, and they plaster it,—it shall fall.

GreekἈνθʼ ὧν ἐπλάνησαν τὸν λαόν μου, λέγοντες, εἰρήνη, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν εἰρήνη· καὶ οὗτος οἰκοδομεῖ τοῖχον, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἀλείφουσιν αὐτὸν, πεσεῖται.

KJVBecause, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:

JPSBecause, even because they have led My people astray, saying: Peace, and there is no peace; and when it buildeth up a slight wall, behold, they daub it with whited plaster;

ThomsonSay to these anointers, It shall fall. For there shall be an overwhelming rain, and I will send hailstones against their buttresses, and they shall fall; and a tempestuous wind, and it shall be broken down.

BrentonSay to them that plaster it, It shall fall; and there shall be a flooding rain; and I will send great stones upon their joinings, and they shall fall; and there shall be a sweeping wind, and it shall be broken.

GreekΕἰπὸν πρὸς τοὺς ἀλείφοντας, πεσεῖται, καὶ ἔσται ὑετὸς κατακλύζων, καὶ δώσω λίθους πετροβόλους εἰς τοὺς ἐνδέσμους αὐτῶν, καὶ πεσοῦνται, καὶ πνεῦμα ἐξαῖρον, καὶ ῥαγήσεται.

KJVSay unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.

JPSsay unto them that daub it with whited plaster, that it shall fall; there shall be an overflowing shower, and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall, and a stormy wind shall break forth,

ThomsonNow when the wall is fallen, will they not say to you, Where is the anointing with which you anointed it?

BrentonAnd lo! the wall has fallen; and will they not say to you, Where is your plaster wherewith ye plastered it?

GreekΚαὶ ἰδοὺ πέπτωκεν ὁ τοῖχος, καὶ οὐκ ἐροῦσι πρὸς ὑμᾶς, ποῦ ἐστιν ἡ ἀλοιφὴ ὑμῶν ἣν ἠλείψατε;

KJVLo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?

JPSand, lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you: Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?

ThomsonTherefore thus saith the Lord: I will cause a furious tempest to break it down, and there shall be an overwhelming rain in Mine anger. And I will bring the hailstones against it with fury for destruction,

BrentonTherefore thus saith the Lord; I will even cause to burst forth a sweeping blast with fury, and there shall be a flooding rain in my wrath; and in my fury I will bring on great stones for complete destruction.

GreekΔιατοῦτο τάδε λέγει Κύριος, καὶ ῥήξω πνοὴν ἐξαίρουσαν μετὰ θυμοῦ, καὶ ὑετὸς κατακλύζων ἐν ὀργῇ μου ἔσται· καὶ τοὺς λίθους τοὺς πετροβόλους ἐν θυμῷ ἐπάξω εἰς συντέλειαν·

KJVTherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.

JPSTherefore thus saith the Lord GOD: I will even cause a stormy wind to break forth in My fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in Mine anger, and great hailstones in fury to consume it.

Thomsonand demolish the wall which you anointed, and it shall fall; and lay it flat on the ground, and its foundations shall be discovered; and when it shall fall, you shall he consumed with rebukes; and you shall know that I am the Lord.

BrentonAnd I will break down the wall which ye have plastered, and it shall fall; and I will lay it on the ground, and its foundations shall be discovered, and it shall fall; and ye shall be consumed with rebukes: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ κατασκάψω τὸν τοῖχον ὃν ἠλείψατε, και πεσεῖται· καὶ θήσω αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, καὶ ἀποκαλυφθήσεται τὰ θεμέλια αὐτοῦ, καὶ πεσεῖται, καὶ συντελεσθήσεσθε μετʼ ἐλέγχων, καὶ ἐπιγνώσεσθε διότι ἐγὼ Κύριος.

KJVSo will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

JPSSo will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with whited plaster, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be uncovered; and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

ThomsonWhen I accomplish My wrath on the wall and on them who anoint it, it shall fall. I have indeed said to you, the wall is no more, nor do they exist who anointed it,

BrentonAnd I will accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that plaster it; it shall fall: and I said to you, The wall is not, nor they that plaster it,

GreekΚαὶ συντελέσω τὸν θυμόν μου ἐπὶ τὸν τοῖχον, καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀλείφοντας αὐτὸν, πεσεῖται· καὶ εἶπα πρὸς ὑμᾶς, οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ τοῖχος, οὐδὲ οἱ ἀλείφοντες αὐτὸν,

KJVThus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it;

JPSThus will I spend My fury upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with whited plaster; and I will say unto you: The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it;

Thomsonnamely, the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem and who see peace for her when there is no peace, saith the Lord.

Brentoneven the prophets of Israel, who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord.

Greekπροφῆται τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ, οἱ προφητεύοντες ἐπὶ Ἱερουσαλὴμ, καὶ οἱ ὁρῶντες αὐτῇ εἰρήνην, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν εἰρήνη, λέγει Κύριος.

KJVTo wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.

JPSto wit, the prophets of Israel that prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and that see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.

ThomsonNow as for thee son of man set thy face also against the L- 2 daughters of thy people who prophesy from their own heart; and prophesy against them and say,

BrentonAnd thou, son of man, set thy face firmly against the daughters of thy people, that prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy against them.

GreekΚαὶ σὺ, υἱὲ ἀνθρώπου, στήρισον τὸ πρόσωπόν σου ἐπὶ τὰς θυγατέρας τοῦ λαοῦ σου, τὰς προφητευούσας ἀπὸ καρδίας αὐτῶν, καὶ προφήτευσον ἐπʼ αὐτὰς,

KJVLikewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,

JPSAnd thou, son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, that prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,

ThomsonThus saith the Lord: Woe to those women who sew pillows under every elbow and make coverings for every head of every age, to lead souls astray. The souls of My people have been turned out of the way.

BrentonAnd thou shalt say, Thus saith the Lord, Woe to the women that sew pillows under every elbow, and make kerchiefs on the head of every stature to pervert souls! The souls of my people are perverted, and they have saved souls alive.

Greekκαὶ ἐρεῖς, τάδε λέγει Κύριος, οὐαὶ ταῖς συῤῥαπτούσαις προσκεφάλαια ὑπὸ πάντα ἀγκῶνα χειρὸς, καὶ ποιούσαις ἐπιβόλαια ἐπὶ πᾶσαν κεφαλὴν πάσης ἡλικίας, τοῦ διαστρέφειν ψυχάς· αἱ ψυχαὶ διεστράφησαν τοῦ λαοῦ μου· καὶ ψυχὰς περιεποιοῦντο.

KJVAnd say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?

JPSand say: Thus saith the Lord GOD: Woe to the women that sew cushions upon all elbows, and make pads for the head of persons of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of My people, and save souls alive for yourselves?

ThomsonThey have indeed inveigled souls and profaned Me to My people, for a handful of barley and for pieces of bread,-to kill souls which should not die, and to preserve souls alive which ought not to live,-by your oracles to the people who hearken to vain oracles.

BrentonAnd they have dishonoured me before my people for a handful of barley, and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls which should not die, and to save alive the souls which should not live, while ye speak to a people hearing vain speeches.

GreekΚαὶ ἐβεβήλουν με πρὸς τὸν λαόν μου, ἕνεκεν δρακὸς κριθῶν, καὶ ἕνεκεν κλασμάτων ἄρτων, τοῦ ἀποκτεῖναι ψυχὰς ἃς οὐκ ἔδει ἀποθανεῖν, καὶ τοῦ περιποιήσασθαι ψυχὰς ἃς οὐκ ἔδει ζῆσαι, ἐν τῷ ἀποφθέγγεσθαι ὑμᾶς λαῷ εἰσακούοντι μάταια ἀποφθέγματα.

KJVAnd will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?

JPSAnd ye have profaned Me among My people for handfuls of barley and for crumbs of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to My people that hearken unto lies.

ThomsonTherefore thus saith the Lord God: Behold I am against your pillows on which you whirl souls about; and I will tear them from your arms and dismiss the souls-those souls which you are whirling about to scatter.

BrentonTherefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I am against your pillows, whereby ye there confound souls, and I will tear them away from your arms, and will set at liberty their souls which ye pervert to scatter them.

GreekΔιατοῦτο τάδε λέγει Κύριος Κύριος, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐπὶ τὰ προσκεφάλαια ὑμῶν, ἐφʼ ἃ ὑμεῖς ἐκεῖ συστρέφετε ψυχάς· καὶ διαῤῥήξω αὐτὰ ἀπὸ τῶν βραχιόνων ὑμῶν, καὶ ἐξαποστελῶ τὰς ψυχὰς ἃς ὑμεῖς ἐκστρέφετε τὰς ψυχὰς αὐτῶν εἰς διασκορπισμόν.

KJVWherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.

JPSWherefore thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against your cushions, wherewith ye hunt the souls as birds, and I will tear them from your arms; and I will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt as birds.

ThomsonAn? I will tear in pieces your coverings and deliver My people out of your hand, and they shall no more be in your hands to be confused. And ye shall know that I am the Lord.

BrentonAnd I will tear your kerchiefs, and will rescue my people out of your hand, and they shall no longer be in your hands to be confounded; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ διαῤῥήξω τὰ ἐπιβόλαια ὑμῶν, καὶ ῥύσομαι τὸν λαόν μου ἐκ χειρὸς ὑμῶν, καὶ οὐκέτι ἔσονται ἐν χερσὶν ὑμῶν εἰς συστροφήν· καὶ ἐπιγνώσεσθε διότι ἐγὼ Κύριος.

KJVYour kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

JPSYour pads also will I tear, and deliver My people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

ThomsonBecause you turned aside the heart of the righteous, whom I turned not aside, in order that you might strengthen the hands of a transgressor that he should by no means turn from his evil way and live;

BrentonBecause ye have perverted the heart of the righteous, whereas I perverted him not, and that in order to strengthen the hands of the wicked, that he should not at all turn from his evil way and live:

GreekἈνθʼ ὧν διεστρέψετε καρδίαν δικαίου, καὶ ἐγὼ οὐ διέστρεφον αὐτὸν, καὶ τοῦ κατισχῦσαι χεῖρας ἀνόμου τὸ καθόλου μὴ ἀποστρέψαι ἀπὸ τῆς ὁδοῦ αὐτοῦ τῆς πονηρᾶς, καὶ ζῆσαι αὐτόν·

KJVBecause with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:

JPSBecause with lies ye have cowed the heart of the righteous, when I have not grieved him; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, that he be saved alive;

Thomsontherefore you shall no more see falsities, nor shall you any more utter divinations; for I will deliver My people out of your hand and you shall know that I am the Lord

Brentontherefore ye shall not see false visions, and ye shall no more utter prophecies: but I will deliver my people out of your hand; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.

GreekΔιατοῦτο ψευδῆ οὐ μὴ ἴδητε, καὶ μαντείας οὐ μὴ μαντεύσησθε ἔτι· καὶ ῥύσομαι τὸν λαόν μου ἐκ χειρὸς ὑμῶν, καὶ γνώσεσθε ὅτι ἐγὼ Κύριος.

KJVTherefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

JPStherefore ye shall no more see vanity, nor divine divinations; and I will deliver My people out of your hand; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.’