Jeremiah 23:15
New International Version
Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says concerning the prophets: “I will make them eat bitter food and drink poisoned water, because from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.”

New Living Translation
Therefore, this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says concerning the prophets: “I will feed them with bitterness and give them poison to drink. For it is because of Jerusalem’s prophets that wickedness has filled this land.”

English Standard Version
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: “Behold, I will feed them with bitter food and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone out into all the land.”

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: “I will feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.”

King James Bible
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.

New King James Version
“Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: ‘Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, And make them drink the water of gall; For from the prophets of Jerusalem Profaneness has gone out into all the land.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
Therefore this is what the LORD of armies says concerning the prophets: ‘Behold, I am going to feed them wormwood And make them drink poisonous water, For from the prophets of Jerusalem Ungodliness has spread into all the land.’”

NASB 1995
“Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets, ‘Behold, I am going to feed them wormwood And make them drink poisonous water, For from the prophets of Jerusalem Pollution has gone forth into all the land.’”

NASB 1977
“Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets, ‘Behold, I am going to feed them wormwood And make them drink poisonous water, For from the prophets of Jerusalem Pollution has gone forth into all the land.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore thus says Yahweh of hosts concerning the prophets, ‘Behold, I am going to feed them wormwood And make them drink poisoned water, For from the prophets of Jerusalem Pollution has gone forth into all the land.’”

Amplified Bible
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts in regard to the prophets, ‘Behold, I am going to feed them [the bitterness of] wormwood And make them drink the poisonous water [of gall], For from the [counterfeit] prophets of Jerusalem Profaneness and ungodliness have spread into all the land.’”

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, this is what the LORD of Armies says concerning the prophets: I am about to feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: I am about to feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.

American Standard Version
Therefore thus saith Jehovah of hosts concerning the prophets: Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall; for from the prophets of Jerusalem is ungodliness gone forth into all the land.

Contemporary English Version
You prophets in Jerusalem have spread evil everywhere. That's why I, the LORD, promise to give you bitter poison to eat and drink.

English Revised Version
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the LORD of Armies says about the prophets: I will give them wormwood to eat and poison to drink. The prophets of Jerusalem have spread godlessness throughout the land.

Good News Translation
"So then, this is what I, the LORD Almighty, say about the prophets of Jerusalem: I will give them bitter plants to eat and poison to drink, because they have spread ungodliness throughout the land."

International Standard Version
Therefore, this is what the LORD God of the Heavenly Armies says about the prophets, "I'm about to make them eat wormwood and drink poisoned water, because godlessness has spread from the prophets of Jerusalem throughout the land."

Majority Standard Bible
Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: ?I will feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.?

NET Bible
So then I, the LORD who rules over all, have something to say concerning the prophets of Jerusalem: 'I will make these prophets eat the bitter food of suffering and drink the poison water of judgment. For the prophets of Jerusalem are the reason that ungodliness has spread throughout the land.'"

New Heart English Bible
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: 'Look, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall; for from the prophets of Jerusalem is ungodliness gone forth into all the land.'

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.

World English Bible
Therefore Yahweh of Armies says concerning the prophets: “Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink poisoned water; for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone out into all the land.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Therefore, thus said YHWH of Hosts, concerning the prophets: “Behold, I am causing them to eat wormwood, "" And have caused them to drink water of gall, "" For from prophets of Jerusalem "" Profanity has gone forth to all the land.”

Young's Literal Translation
Therefore, thus said Jehovah of Hosts, concerning the prophets: Lo, I am causing them to eat wormwood, And have caused them to drink water of gall, For, from prophets of Jerusalem Hath profanity gone forth to all the land.

Smith's Literal Translation
For this, thus said Jehovah of armies concerning the prophets, Behold me feeding them with wormwood, and I caused to drink the water of poison: for from the prophets of Jerusalem went forth profaneness to all the earth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts to the prophets: Behold I will feed them with wormwood, and I will give them gall to drink: for from the prophets of Jerusalem corruption has gone forth into all the land.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Because of this, thus says the Lord of hosts to the prophets: “Behold, I will feed them absinthe, and I will give them gall to drink. For from the prophets of Jerusalem corruption has gone forth over the entire earth.”

New American Bible
Therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts against the prophets: Look, I will give them wormwood to eat, and poisoned water to drink; For from Jerusalem’s prophets ungodliness has gone forth into the whole land.

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: “I am going to make them eat wormwood, and give them poisoned water to drink; for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: Behold. I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink bitter water; for from the prophets of Jerusalem paganism has gone forth throughout all the land.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because of this, so says LORD JEHOVAH of hosts about the Prophets: “Behold, I feed them bitter herbs and I shall give them bitter waters to drink, because from the presence of the Prophets of Jerusalem paganism has proceeded into all the land
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, And make them drink the water of gall; For from the prophets of Jerusalem Is ungodliness gone forth into all the land.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will feed them with pain, and give them bitter water to drink: for from the prophets of Jerusalem has defilement gone forth into all the land.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Lying Prophets
14And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.” 15Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: “I will feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.” 16This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.…

Cross References
Ezekiel 13:10-16
Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and whitewashing any flimsy wall that is built, / tell those whitewashing the wall that it will fall. Rain will come in torrents, I will send hailstones plunging down, and a windstorm will burst forth. / Surely when the wall has fallen, you will not be asked, ‘Where is the whitewash with which you covered it?’ ...

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.

Micah 3:5-7
This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: / Therefore night will come over you without visions, and darkness without divination. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn black over them. / Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.”

Zephaniah 3:4
Her prophets are reckless, faithless men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to the law.

Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ...

2 Peter 2:1-3
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.

Isaiah 9:15-16
The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies. / For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.

Hosea 9:7-9
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. / The prophet is Ephraim’s watchman, along with my God, yet the snare of the fowler lies on all his paths. Hostility is in the house of his God! / They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; He will remember their guilt; He will punish their sins.

Matthew 23:27-28
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Ezekiel 22:25-28
The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her. / Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. / Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain. ...

Zechariah 13:2-3
And on that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will erase the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered. I will also remove the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. / And if anyone still prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will say to him, ‘You shall not remain alive, because you have spoken falsely in the name of the LORD.’ When he prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will pierce him through.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Isaiah 28:7-8
These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments. / For all their tables are covered with vomit; there is not a place without filth.

1 Timothy 4:1-2
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, / influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore thus said the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.

will.

Jeremiah 8:14
Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:15
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.

Psalm 69:21
They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

profaneness.

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Jeremiah 23
1. He prophesies a restoration of the scattered flock.
5. Christ shall rule and save them.
9. Against false prophets;
33. and mockers of the true prophets.














Therefore, this is what the LORD of Hosts says
The phrase "LORD of Hosts" is a translation of the Hebrew "Yahweh Sabaoth," which emphasizes God's supreme command over the armies of heaven and earth. This title underscores His authority and power, reminding us that the message delivered is not from a mere human perspective but from the sovereign Creator who governs all. The use of "therefore" connects this declaration to the preceding verses, where the false prophets' deceit and corruption are exposed. It serves as a divine response to the moral and spiritual decay they have caused.

concerning the prophets
The term "prophets" here refers specifically to those in Jerusalem who were supposed to be God's messengers but had become purveyors of falsehood. In the Hebrew context, a prophet (navi) was one who spoke on behalf of God, conveying His will to the people. However, these prophets had strayed from their divine calling, leading the people astray with their lies and false visions. This highlights the grave responsibility of spiritual leaders and the severe consequences of their failure.

I will feed them wormwood
"Wormwood" is a bitter plant, often associated with sorrow and calamity in the Scriptures. The Hebrew word "la'anah" signifies bitterness and is used metaphorically to describe the severe judgment and suffering that God will bring upon these false prophets. This imagery of being fed wormwood conveys the idea that their actions will lead to their own bitter end, a divine retribution for their deceit and corruption.

and give them poisoned water to drink
The phrase "poisoned water" further intensifies the imagery of judgment. In the ancient Near East, water was a symbol of life and blessing, but here it is turned into a curse. The Hebrew word "rosh" can mean poison or venom, indicating the deadly consequences of the prophets' false teachings. This serves as a stark warning that those who corrupt God's truth will face severe punishment.

for from the prophets of Jerusalem
The mention of "Jerusalem" is significant, as it was the spiritual and political center of Israel. The prophets in Jerusalem held great influence, and their corruption had far-reaching effects. This highlights the tragedy of their failure, as those who were meant to guide the people in righteousness instead led them into sin. It underscores the importance of integrity and faithfulness in spiritual leadership.

ungodliness has spread throughout the land
The word "ungodliness" translates the Hebrew "chaneph," which denotes moral corruption and apostasy. The false prophets' teachings had permeated the entire land, leading the people away from God's covenant. This phrase illustrates the pervasive nature of sin and the destructive impact of false doctrine. It serves as a call to vigilance and discernment, urging believers to remain steadfast in the truth of God's Word.

(15) Wormwood . . . water of gall.--See Notes on Jeremiah 8:14; Jeremiah 9:15.

Profaneness.--The root-meaning of the Hebrew word is that of "veiling," hence that of simulated holiness, or, as in the margin, "hypocrisy;" but the associations of the word attached to it the further sense of the hypocrisy that desecrates, so that "profaneness" is, on the whole, the best rendering. The corresponding concrete noun is rendered in Isaiah 9:17 by "hypocrite;" in Psalm 35:16 by "hypocritical mocker;" above, in Jeremiah 23:11, by "profane." . . .

Verse 15. - On the punishment here threatened, see note on Jeremiah 9:15.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Therefore,
לָכֵ֞ן (lā·ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

this is what
כֹּֽה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

of Hosts
צְבָאוֹת֙ (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

says
אָמַ֨ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

concerning
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the prophets:
הַנְּבִאִ֔ים (han·nə·ḇi·’îm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

“I will feed
מַאֲכִ֤יל (ma·’ă·ḵîl)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

them wormwood
לַֽעֲנָ֔ה (la·‘ă·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3939: Wormwood

and give them poisoned
רֹ֑אשׁ (rōš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7219: A poisonous plant, the poppy, poison

water
מֵי־ (mê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

to drink,
וְהִשְׁקִתִ֖ים (wə·hiš·qi·ṯîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8248: To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to

for
כִּ֗י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

from the prophets
נְבִיאֵ֣י (nə·ḇî·’ê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

of Jerusalem
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

ungodliness
חֲנֻפָּ֖ה (ḥă·nup·pāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2613: Profaneness, pollution

has spread
יָצְאָ֥ה (yā·ṣə·’āh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

throughout the land.”
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 23:15 Therefore thus says Yahweh of Armies concerning (Jer.)
Jeremiah 23:14
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