Ezekiel 13:3
1 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD!
This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, yet have seen nothing.
4 Your prophets, O Israel, are like foxes among the ruins.
5 You did not go up to the gaps or restore the wall around the house of Israel so that it would stand in the battle on the Day of the LORD.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, yet have seen nothing.
- KJV
- Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
- WEB
- The Lord GOD says, “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
- ASV
- Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
- DARBY
- Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
- BLB
- Thus says the Lord YHWH: Woe upon the foolish prophets, who are walking after their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
- ÅB
- Så sier Herren, Israels Gud: Ve over de dårlige profeter, som følger sin egen ånd og syner som de ikke har sett!
- OTB
- Dette er hva den suverene Herren erklærer: Ve de tåpelige profetene som følger sin egen ånd og ikke har sett noe!
- B1930
- Så sier Herren, Israels Gud: Ve over de dårlige profeter, som følger sin egen ånd og syner som de ikke har sett!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Lamentations 2:14
The visions of your prophets were empty and deceptive; they did not expose your guilt to ward off your captivity. The burdens they envisioned for you were empty and misleading.
Read in contextJeremiah 23:28–32
Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD.
Read in contextHosea 9:7
The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have arrived— let Israel know it. The prophet is called a fool, and the inspired man insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and hostility.
Read in contextJeremiah 23:1
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD.
Read in contextMatthew 23:13–29
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.
Read in contextEzekiel 34:2
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock?
Read in contextProverbs 15:14
A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
Read in contextLuke 11:42–47
Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.
Read in context