22 But if they had stood in my council,v

they would have proclaimedw my words to my people

and would have turnedx them from their evil ways

and from their evil deeds.y

23 “Am I only a God nearby,z”

declares the Lord,

“and not a God far away?

24 Who can hidea in secret places

so that I cannot see them?”

declares the Lord.

“Do not I fill heaven and earth?”b

declares the Lord.

25 “I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy liesc in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream!d I had a dream!’ 26 How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusionse of their own minds?f 27 They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forgetg my name, just as their ancestors forgoth my name through Baal worship.i 28 Let the prophet who has a dreamj recount the dream, but let the one who has my wordk speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord. 29 “Is not my word like fire,”l declares the Lord, “and like a hammerm that breaks a rock in pieces?

30 “Therefore,” declares the Lord, “I am againstn the prophetso who steal from one another words supposedly from me. 31 Yes,” declares the Lord, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The Lord declares.’p 32 Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,q” declares the Lord. “They tell them and lead my people astrayr with their reckless lies,s yet I did not sendt or appoint them. They do not benefitu these people in the least,” declares the Lord.