Jeremiah 23 - English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK)

The Righteous Branch

23 (A)“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning (B)the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. (C)Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord. 3 (D)Then I will gather the remnant of my flock (E)out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, (F)and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 (G)I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.

5 (H)“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous (I)Branch, and (J)he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and (K)Israel will (L)dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: (M)‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

7 (N)“Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when they shall no longer say, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt’, 8 but ‘As the Lord lives who brought up and led the offspring of the house of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he[a] had driven them.’ Then they shall dwell in their own land.”

Lying Prophets

9 Concerning the prophets:

(O)My heart is broken within me;
(P)all my bones shake;
I am like a drunken man,
like a man overcome by wine,
because of the Lord
and because of his holy words.
10 (Q)For the land is full of adulterers;
(R)because of the curse (S)the land mourns,
and (T)the pastures of the wilderness are dried up.
(U)Their course is evil,
and their might is not right.
11 (V)“Both prophet and priest are ungodly;
even (W)in my house I have found their evil,
declares the Lord.
12 (X)Therefore their way shall be to them
like slippery paths (Y)in the darkness,
into which they shall be driven and fall,
for I will bring disaster upon them
(Z)in the year of their punishment,
declares the Lord.
13 In the prophets of (AA)Samaria
(AB)I saw an unsavoury thing:
(AC)they prophesied by Baal
(AD)and led my people Israel astray.
14 But in the prophets of Jerusalem
I have seen a horrible thing:
(AE)they commit adultery and walk in lies;
(AF)they strengthen the hands of evildoers,
so that no one turns from his evil;
(AG)all of them have become like Sodom to me,
(AH)and its inhabitants like Gomorrah.”
15 Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets:
(AI)“Behold, I will feed them with bitter food
(AJ)and give them (AK)poisoned water to drink,
for from the prophets of Jerusalem
ungodliness has gone out into all the land.”

16 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, (AL)filling you with vain hopes. (AM)They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. 17 They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, (AN)‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who (AO)stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, (AP)‘No disaster shall come upon you.’”

18 For (AQ)who among them has stood in the council of the Lord
to see and to hear his word,
or who has paid attention to his word and listened?
19 (AR)Behold, the storm of the Lord!
Wrath has gone forth,
(AS)a whirling tempest;
it will burst upon the head of the wicked.
20 (AT)The anger of the Lord will not turn back
until he has executed and (AU)accomplished
the intents of his heart.
(AV)In the latter days you will understand it clearly.
21 (AW)“I did not send the prophets,
yet they ran;
I did not speak to them,
yet they prophesied.
22 (AX)But if they had stood in my council,
then they would have proclaimed my words to my people,
(AY)and they would have turned them from their evil way,
and (AZ)from the evil of their deeds.

23 (BA)“Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? 24 (BB)Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. (BC)Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. 25 I have heard what the prophets have said (BD)who prophesy lies in my name, saying, (BE)‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ 26 How long shall there be lies in the heart of (BF)the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, 27 who think to make my people forget my name (BG)by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their (BH)fathers forgot my name for Baal? 28 (BI)Let the prophet who has a dream (BJ)tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. (BK)What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord. 29 (BL)Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and (BM)like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? 30 (BN)Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who steal my words from one another. 31 Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who use their tongues and declare, ‘declares the Lord.’ 32 Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the Lord, and who tell them and (BO)lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when (BP)I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the Lord.

33 (BQ)“When one of this people, or a prophet or a priest asks you, ‘What is the burden of the Lord?’ you shall say to them, ‘You are the burden,[b] and (BR)I will cast you off, declares the Lord.’ 34 And as for the prophet, priest, or one of the people who says, ‘The burden of the Lord’, (BS)I will punish that man and his household. 35 Thus shall you say, every one to his neighbour and every one to his brother, ‘What has the Lord answered?’ or ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ 36 But ‘the burden of the Lord’ you shall mention no more, for the burden is every man's own word, and (BT)you pervert the words of (BU)the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God. 37 Thus you shall say to the prophet, ‘What has the Lord answered you?’ or ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ 38 But if you say, ‘The burden of the Lord,’ thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have said these words, “The burden of the Lord”, when I sent to you, saying, “You shall not say, ‘The burden of the Lord’,” 39 therefore, behold, I will surely lift you up and (BV)cast you away from my presence, you and the city that I gave to you and your fathers. 40 (BW)And I will bring upon you everlasting reproach and (BX)perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.’”

Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 23:8 Septuagint; Hebrew I
  2. Jeremiah 23:33 Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew What burden?

Cross references

  1. Jeremiah 23:1 : ch. 6:3; 10:21; 22:22; 25:34, 36; Isa. 56:11; Ezek. 34:2; Zech. 11:17; [John 10:12, 13]
  2. Jeremiah 23:2 : [See ver. 1 above]; ch. 6:3; 10:21; 22:22; 25:34, 36; Isa. 56:11; Ezek. 34:2; Zech. 11:17; [John 10:12, 13]
  3. Jeremiah 23:2 : ver. 22; ch. 4:4
  4. Jeremiah 23:3 : ch. 29:14; 32:37; Deut. 30:3; Ezek. 20:34, 41; 37:21; [Ps. 107:3]; See Ezek. 34:11-16
  5. Jeremiah 23:3 : [ch. 8:3]
  6. Jeremiah 23:3 : [Gen. 1:28]
  7. Jeremiah 23:4 : ch. 3:15
  8. Jeremiah 23:5 : For ver. 5, 6, see ch. 33:14-16
  9. Jeremiah 23:5 : Isa. 4:2; 11:1
  10. Jeremiah 23:5 : ch. 30:9; Isa. 32:1; Ezek. 37:24; Hos. 3:5; Zech. 9:9; Matt. 2:2; Luke 1:32; 19:38; John 1:49
  11. Jeremiah 23:6 : Deut. 33:28; [Zech. 14:11]
  12. Jeremiah 23:6 : ch. 32:37
  13. Jeremiah 23:6 : Rom. 10:4; 1 Cor. 1:30
  14. Jeremiah 23:7 : For ver. 7, 8, see ch. 16:14, 15
  15. Jeremiah 23:9 : Ezek. 6:9
  16. Jeremiah 23:9 : Hab. 3:16
  17. Jeremiah 23:10 : ch. 5:7, 8; 9:2
  18. Jeremiah 23:10 : Ps. 10:7; 59:12; Hos. 4:2, 3
  19. Jeremiah 23:10 : ch. 4:28
  20. Jeremiah 23:10 : ch. 9:10; 12:4; Ps. 107:34
  21. Jeremiah 23:10 : [ch. 22:17]
  22. Jeremiah 23:11 : [ver. 33, 34; Zeph. 3:4]; See ch. 6:13
  23. Jeremiah 23:11 : ch. 7:30; 32:34; Ezek. 8:16; 23:39
  24. Jeremiah 23:12 : Ps. 35:6; 73:18
  25. Jeremiah 23:12 : Prov. 4:19; [ch. 13:16]
  26. Jeremiah 23:12 : ch. 11:23
  27. Jeremiah 23:13 : Isa. 7:9; Ezek. 16:46, 51, 53, 55; 23:4, 33
  28. Jeremiah 23:13 : Lam. 2:14
  29. Jeremiah 23:13 : ch. 2:8
  30. Jeremiah 23:13 : Isa. 9:16; Mic. 3:5
  31. Jeremiah 23:14 : ch. 29:23
  32. Jeremiah 23:14 : Ps. 64:5; Ezek. 13:22
  33. Jeremiah 23:14 : Isa. 1:9, 10; 13:19
  34. Jeremiah 23:14 : Isa. 1:9, 10; 13:19
  35. Jeremiah 23:15 : ch. 9:15; Prov. 5:4
  36. Jeremiah 23:15 : ch. 9:15; Prov. 5:4
  37. Jeremiah 23:15 : ch. 8:14
  38. Jeremiah 23:16 : [Ps. 12:2]
  39. Jeremiah 23:16 : [ver. 21, 26; Num. 16:28]
  40. Jeremiah 23:17 : [Zech. 10:2]; See ch. 6:14
  41. Jeremiah 23:17 : See ch. 3:17
  42. Jeremiah 23:17 : ch. 5:12; Mic. 3:11
  43. Jeremiah 23:18 : ver. 22; Isa. 40:14
  44. Jeremiah 23:19 : ch. 30:23
  45. Jeremiah 23:19 : ch. 25:32
  46. Jeremiah 23:20 : ch. 30:24; [Isa. 55:11]
  47. Jeremiah 23:20 : ch. 30:24; [Isa. 55:11]
  48. Jeremiah 23:20 : ch. 30:24
  49. Jeremiah 23:21 : See ch. 14:14
  50. Jeremiah 23:22 : ver. 18
  51. Jeremiah 23:22 : ch. 25:5; [Luke 1:17]
  52. Jeremiah 23:22 : ver. 2
  53. Jeremiah 23:23 : [Ps. 94:7, 9; Amos 9:2, 3]; See Ps. 139:7-12
  54. Jeremiah 23:24 : [See ver. 23 above]; [Ps. 94:7, 9; Amos 9:2, 3]; See Ps. 139:7-12
  55. Jeremiah 23:24 : Isa. 66:1; Acts 7:49
  56. Jeremiah 23:25 : See ch. 5:31
  57. Jeremiah 23:25 : [Zech. 10:2]
  58. Jeremiah 23:26 : [ver. 16, 21; Num. 16:28]
  59. Jeremiah 23:27 : [See ver. 25 above]; [Zech. 10:2]
  60. Jeremiah 23:27 : Judg. 3:7; 8:33, 34
  61. Jeremiah 23:28 : [Num. 12:6]
  62. Jeremiah 23:28 : ver. 25
  63. Jeremiah 23:28 : [Luke 3:17]
  64. Jeremiah 23:29 : [See ver. 28 above]; [Luke 3:17]
  65. Jeremiah 23:29 : [Dan. 2:34, 45]
  66. Jeremiah 23:30 : Ezek. 13:8; [ch. 14:15; Deut. 18:20]
  67. Jeremiah 23:32 : ver. 13
  68. Jeremiah 23:32 : ver. 21; See ch. 14:14
  69. Jeremiah 23:33 : See Ezek. 14:1-11
  70. Jeremiah 23:33 : [Hos. 4:6]
  71. Jeremiah 23:34 : [See ver. 33 above]; See Ezek. 14:1-11
  72. Jeremiah 23:36 : [Matt. 15:6]
  73. Jeremiah 23:36 : Ps. 42:2
  74. Jeremiah 23:39 : [See ver. 33 above]; [Hos. 4:6]
  75. Jeremiah 23:40 : ch. 20:11
  76. Jeremiah 23:40 : ch. 20:11

You Might Also Like:

Jeremiah 23 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

23 Wo to shepherds destroying, And scattering the flock of My pasture, An affirmation of Jehovah. 2 Therefore, thus said Jehovah, God of Israel, Against the shepherds who feed My people, Ye have scattered My flock, and drive them away, And have not inspected them, Lo, I am charging on you the evil o...
Read More

Jeremiah 23 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

23 Woe to the shepherds, that scatter and draw the flock of my pasture, saith the Lord. (Woe to the shepherds of the people, who scatter and draw away the flock of my pasture, saith the Lord.) 2 Therefore the Lord God of Israel saith these things to the shepherds that feed my people, Ye have scatter...
Read More

Jeremiah 23 - World English Bible (WEB)

23 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” says Yahweh. 2 Therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, says against the shepherds who feed my people: “You have scattered my flock, driven them away, and have not visited them. Behold, I will visit on you the evil of your doing...
Read More

Jeremiah 23 - The Voice (VOICE)

23 Eternal One: Woe to the shepherds who slaughter and scatter the sheep of My pasture! 2 This is what I, the Eternal God of Israel, have to say about the shepherds tending My people:You have scattered My flock, driven them far away, and failed miserably at being their caregivers. So look! I will p...
Read More

Jeremiah 23 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Gathering His Flock23 “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!” It is a declaration of Adonai. 2 Therefore thus says Adonai, the God of Israel, about the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and have not taken care of t...
Read More

Jeremiah 23 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Restoration after Exile23 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” says the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to ...
Read More

Jeremiah 23 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Restoration after Exile23 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” says the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to ...
Read More

Jeremiah 23 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Restoration after Exile23 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. 2 Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not atte...
Read More

Jeremiah 23 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Restoration after Exile23 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord.(A)2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not atten...
Read More

Jeremiah 23 - New Living Translation (NLT)

The Righteous Descendant23 “What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for,” says the Lord. 2 Therefore, this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to these shepherds: “Instead of caring for...
Read More

Jeremiah 23 - New Life Version (NLV)

The Right and Good Branch23 “It is bad for the shepherds who are destroying and dividing the sheep of My field!” says the Lord. 2 The Lord God of Israel says this about the shepherds who are caring for My people, “You have made My flock go everywhere and have driven them away, and have not cared fo...
Read More

Jeremiah 23 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Branch of Righteousness23 “Woe (A)to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. (B)Behold, I will ...
Read More

Jeremiah 23 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

The righteous branch23 ‘Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!’ declares the Lord. 2 Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: ‘Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed...
Read More

Jeremiah 23 - New International Version (NIV)

The Righteous Branch23 “Woe to the shepherds(A) who are destroying and scattering(B) the sheep of my pasture!”(C) declares the Lord. 2 Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds(D) who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock(E) and driven them away and hav...
Read More

Jeremiah 23 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

The Godly Branch23 “How terrible it will be for the shepherds who lead my people astray!” announces the Lord. “They are destroying and scattering the sheep that belong to my flock.” 2 So the Lord, the God of Israel, speaks to the shepherds who take care of my people. He tells them, “You have scatte...
Read More

Jeremiah 23 - New Century Version (NCV)

The Evil Leaders of Judah23 “How terrible it will be for the leaders of Judah, who are scattering and destroying my people,” says the Lord. 2 They are responsible for the people, so the Lord, the God of Israel, says to them: “You have scattered my people and forced them away and not taken care of th...
Read More