25 "This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: You sent letters in your own name to all the people in Jerusalem, to Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the other priests. You said to Zephaniah, |
26 'The LORD has appointed you priest in place of Jehoiada to be in charge of the house of the LORD ; you should put any madman who acts like a prophet into the stocks and neck-irons. |
27 So why have you not reprimanded Jeremiah from Anathoth, who poses as a prophet among you? |
28 He has sent this message to us in Babylon: It will be a long time. Therefore build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.' " |
29 Zephaniah the priest, however, read the letter to Jeremiah the prophet. |
30 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: |
31 "Send this message to all the exiles: 'This is what the LORD says about Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, even though I did not send him, and has led you to believe a lie, |
32 this is what the LORD says: I will surely punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. He will have no one left among this people, nor will he see the good things I will do for my people, declares the LORD , because he has preached rebellion against me.' " |
