Jeremiah 23 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

"How terrible for the shepherds who scatter and destroy the flock I care for!" announces Yahweh.

So this is what Yahweh, God of Israel, says to the shepherds tending my people: "You have scattered my flock, driven them away, and refused to look after them. So now watch — I'm about to look after you for the evil things you've done," announces Yahweh.

"Then I myself will gather what's left of my flock from every land where I drove them, and I'll bring them back to their own pasture. They'll be fruitful and multiply.

I'll raise up shepherds over them who will actually take care of them. They won't be afraid anymore, they won't be terrified, and none of them will go missing," announces Yahweh.

"Look — the days are coming," announces Yahweh, "when I will raise up for David a right and true Branch. He will reign as king and act wisely, and he will bring justice and what's right throughout the land.

In his days Judah will be rescued and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name he will be called: 'Yahweh Our Justice.'

"So then, the days are coming," announces Yahweh, "when people will no longer say, 'As surely as Yahweh lives, who brought Israel up out of Egypt.'

Instead they'll say, 'As surely as Yahweh lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up and led them back from the northern land and from all the lands where he had driven them.' Then they'll live in their own land."

About the prophets: My heart is shattered inside me, all my bones are trembling. I've become like a drunk, like someone overcome by wine — because of Yahweh, because of his set-apart words.

The land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land dries up in grief, the pastures in the wilderness have withered. The path they run on leads to evil, and they use their power for what isn't right.

"Both prophet and priest are corrupt. Even in my own house I've found their wickedness," announces Yahweh.

"So their path will become slippery ground for them; they'll be pushed into the darkness and fall there. Because I will bring disaster on them in the year I call them to account," announces Yahweh.

"Among the prophets of Samaria I saw something disgusting: They prophesied by Ba'al and led my people Israel astray.

But among the prophets of Jerusalem I've seen something horrifying: They commit adultery and live by lies. They strengthen the hands of those who do evil so that no one turns back from their wickedness. All of them have become like Sodom to me, and Jerusalem's people like Gomorrah."

So this is what Yahweh of Armies says about the prophets: "Watch — I'm going to feed them bitter poison and make them drink poisoned water. Because from the prophets of Jerusalem corruption has spread across the whole land."

This is what Yahweh of Armies says: "Don't listen to what those prophets tell you. They're filling you with empty hopes. They speak visions from their own imagination, not from Yahweh's mouth.

They keep saying to those who dismiss me, 'Yahweh says: You'll have peace!' And to everyone who stubbornly follows their own heart they say, 'Nothing bad will happen to you.'"

But who has stood in Yahweh's inner circle and seen and heard his word? Who has paid attention to his word and really listened?

Look! The storm of Yahweh — his fury has gone out! A whirling storm that will burst on the heads of the wicked.

Yahweh's anger won't turn back until he has fully carried out what his heart intends. In the days to come you will understand this clearly.

"I did not send these prophets, but they ran anyway. I did not speak to them, but they prophesied anyway.

If they had stood in my inner circle, they would have declared my words to my people and turned them back from their evil path and from their wicked actions.

"Am I only a God who is nearby," announces Yahweh, "and not also a God who is far away?

Can anyone hide in secret places where I can't see them?" announces Yahweh. "Don't I fill the heavens and the earth?" announces Yahweh.

"I've heard what the prophets say — the ones prophesying lies in my name. They say, 'I had a dream! I had a dream!'

How long will this go on? Is there anything in the hearts of these prophets who prophesy lies — these prophets of their own self-deception?

They think the dreams they tell each other will make my people forget my name — just like their ancestors forgot my name because of Ba'al.

Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak my word faithfully. What does straw have in common with grain?" announces Yahweh.

"Isn't my word like fire," announces Yahweh, "and like a hammer that shatters rock?

"So watch out — I am against the prophets," announces Yahweh, "who steal my words from each other.

Watch out — I am against the prophets," announces Yahweh, "who wag their own tongues and declare, 'He announces!'

Watch out — I am against those who prophesy made-up dreams," announces Yahweh. "They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies. I never sent them or commanded them, and they don't do this people any good at all," announces Yahweh.

"When this people or a prophet or a priest asks you, 'What is Yahweh's burden?' you are to tell them, 'You are the burden! And I will throw you off,' announces Yahweh.

As for the prophet, the priest, or anyone from the people who says 'the burden of Yahweh' — I will punish that person and their household.

This is what each of you should say to your neighbor and your family member: 'What has Yahweh answered?' or 'What has Yahweh spoken?'

But stop using the phrase 'the burden of Yahweh,' because each person's own word becomes their burden. You have twisted the words of the living God, Yahweh of Armies, our God.

This is what you should say to a prophet: 'What has Yahweh answered you?' and 'What has Yahweh spoken?'

But if you keep saying 'the burden of Yahweh' — then this is what Yahweh says: Because you keep using this phrase 'the burden of Yahweh,' even though I sent word to you saying 'Don't say the burden of Yahweh' —

— watch this: I myself will pick you up and throw you away from my presence — you and the city I gave to you and your ancestors.

And I will bring on you everlasting disgrace — everlasting shame that will never be forgotten."