But there were also false prophets among the people. In the same way there will be false teachers among you. In secret they will bring in teachings that will destroy you. They will even turn against the Lord and Master who died to pay for their sins. So they will quickly destroy themselves.

从前在百姓中有假先知起来，将来在你们中间也必有假师傅，私自引进陷害人的异端，连买他们的主他们也不承认，自取速速地灭亡。

从前在民间有假先知起来；同样，将来在你们中间也会有假教师，偷偷地引进使人灭亡的异端。他们甚至不认买他们的主人，自取迅速灭亡。

从前在民间有假先知起来；同样，将来在你们中间也会有假教师，偷偷地引进使人灭亡的异端。他们甚至不认买他们的主人，自取迅速灭亡。

以往曾经有假先知在百姓中出现，将来在你们中间也同样会有假教师出现。他们暗地里引进使人沉沦的异端邪说，甚至否认那位买赎他们的主。这些人正迅速地自招灭亡。

从前在人民中，曾有假先知出来；照样，将来在你们中间，也必有假教师出现。他们偷偷把使人灭亡的异端引进来，甚至否认那曾经买赎他们的主，迅速地自取灭亡。

不过，在子民当中也出现过假先知；照样，在你们当中也会有假教师。他们会偷偷引进使人灭亡的异端，甚至否认那救赎他们的主，给自己招来快速的灭亡。

從前在百姓中有假先知起來，將來在你們中間也必有假師傅，私自引進陷害人的異端，連買他們的主他們也不承認，自取速速地滅亡。

從前在民間有假先知起來；同樣，將來在你們中間也會有假教師，偷偷地引進使人滅亡的異端。他們甚至不認買他們的主人，自取迅速滅亡。

從前在民間有假先知起來；同樣，將來在你們中間也會有假教師，偷偷地引進使人滅亡的異端。他們甚至不認買他們的主人，自取迅速滅亡。

以往曾經有假先知在百姓中出現，將來在你們中間也同樣會有假教師出現。他們暗地裡引進使人沉淪的異端邪說，甚至否認那位買贖他們的主。這些人正迅速地自招滅亡。

從前在人民中，曾有假先知出來；照樣，將來在你們中間，也必有假教師出現。他們偷偷把使人滅亡的異端引進來，甚至否認那曾經買贖他們的主，迅速地自取滅亡。

但從前在民間竟有了假的神言人呢；照樣子、在你們中間也必有假的教師。這種人必私下引進使人滅亡的派別來，連買他們的主、他們也否認，自己引着迅速快到的滅亡。

不過，在子民當中也出現過假先知；照樣，在你們當中也會有假教師。他們會偷偷引進使人滅亡的異端，甚至否認那救贖他們的主，給自己招來快速的滅亡。

昔有偽先知起於民間、爾中亦將有偽師、私傳左道以陷人、拒贖之之主、自取速亡、

伊昔民間有偽先知、如爾中將有偽師、私傳異端以害人、主贖之、而彼拒之、自速其辜、

昔時民間有偽先知、如爾中將有偽師、私傳敗壞之異端、敗壞之異端或作害人之異端不認贖彼之主、自取速亡、

然適如昔日之有偽先知起自民間、將來爾中亦必有荒誕之師、潛播異端、陷溺人心、乃至忘恩負義、否認其贖身之主、於以自速其亡。

But 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 sovereign Lord who bought them— bringing swift destruction on themselves.

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.

There were indeed false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves.

But false prophets also appeared among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves.

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

But false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. These false teachers will infiltrate your midst with destructive heresies, even to the point of denying the Master who bought them. As a result, they will bring swift destruction on themselves.

But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.

“ Watch out for false prophets. They come to you pretending to be sheep. But on the inside they are hungry wolves.

Certain people have secretly slipped in among you. Long ago it was written that they would be judged. They are ungodly people. They misuse the grace of our God as an excuse for sexual sins. They say no to Jesus Christ, our only Lord and King.

Suppose a prophet appears among you. Or someone comes who uses dreams to tell what’s going to happen. He tells you that a sign or something amazing is going to take place.The sign or amazing thing he has spoken about might really take place. And then the prophet might say,“ Let’s serve other gods. Let’s worship them.” But you haven’t known anything about those gods before.So you must not listen to what that prophet or dreamer has said. The Lord your God is testing you. He wants to know whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.

These teachers are never satisfied. They want to get something out of you. So they make up stories to take advantage of you. They have been under a sentence of death for a long time. The God who will destroy them has not been sleeping.

Do you really think you need to take sides? You probably think God favors one side over the other!

Many false prophets will appear. They will fool many people.

The time will come when people won’t put up with true teaching. Instead, they will try to satisfy their own desires. They will gather a large number of teachers around them. The teachers will say what the people want to hear.

This matter came up because some people had slipped in among us. They had pretended to be believers. They wanted to find out about the freedom we have because we belong to Christ Jesus. They wanted to make us slaves again.

Christ has paid the price for you. So use your bodies in a way that honors God.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit. Test the spirits to see if they belong to God. Many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Here is the new song they sang.“ You are worthy to take the scroll and break open its seals. You are worthy because you were put to death. With your blood you bought people for God. They come from every tribe, people and nation, no matter what language they speak.

Dear children, we are living in the last days. You have heard that the great enemy of Christ is coming. But even now many enemies of Christ have already come. That’s how we know that these are the last days.These enemies left our community of believers. They didn’t really belong to us. If they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But by leaving they showed that none of them belonged to us.

‘ I know that you live where Satan has his throne. But you remain faithful to me. You did not give up your faith in me. You didn’t give it up even in the days of Antipas. Antipas, my faithful witness, was put to death in your city, where Satan lives.

‘ I know that you suffer and are poor. But you are rich! Some people say they are Jews but are not. I know that their words are evil. Their worship comes from Satan.

Make sure no one controls you. They will try to control you by using false reasoning that has no meaning. Their ideas depend on human teachings. They also depend on the basic spiritual powers of this world. They don’t depend on Christ.

But what if someone says in front of others that they don’t know me? I will say in front of my Father who is in heaven that I don’t know them.

The Holy Spirit clearly says that in the last days some people will leave the faith. They will follow spirits that will fool them. They will believe things that demons will teach them.Teachings like those come from liars who pretend to be what they are not. Their sense of what is right and wrong has been destroyed. It’s as though it has been burned with a hot iron.They do not allow people to get married. They order them not to eat certain foods. But God created those foods. So people who believe and know the truth should receive them and give thanks for them.

‘ I know what you are doing. Look! I have put an open door in front of you. No one can shut it. I know that you don’t have much strength. But you have obeyed my word. You have not said no to me.

We will no longer be babies in the faith. We won’t be like ships tossed around by the waves. We won’t be blown here and there by every new teaching. We won’t be blown around by cleverness and tricks. Certain people use them to hide their evil plans.

False messiahs and false prophets will appear. They will do signs and miracles. They will try to fool God’s chosen people if possible.

Some people enjoy pretending they aren’t proud. They worship angels. But don’t let people like that judge you. These people tell you every little thing about what they have seen. They are proud of their useless ideas. That’s because their minds are not guided by the Holy Spirit.

Those people are trying hard to win you over. But it is not for your good. They want to take you away from us. They want you to commit yourselves to them.

The first beast had given the second beast the power to perform these signs. By these signs, the second beast tricked those who live on the earth. The second beast ordered people to set up a statue to honor the first beast. The first beast was the one who had been wounded by a sword and still lived.

Warn anyone who tries to get believers to separate from one another. Warn that person more than once. After that, have nothing to do with them.

It includes worshiping statues of gods and worshiping evil powers. It also includes hatred and fighting, jealousy and fits of anger. Sinful desire is interested only in getting ahead. It stirs up trouble. It separates people into their own little groups.

I’m writing these things to warn you. I am warning you about people trying to lead you astray.

People who deserve even more punishment include those who have hated the Son of God. They include people who have said no to him. They include people who have treated as unholy the blood of the covenant that makes them holy. They also include people who have disrespected the Holy Spirit who brings God’s grace. Don’t you think people like this should be punished more than anyone else?

We have been set free because of what Christ has done. Because he bled and died our sins have been forgiven. We have been set free because God’s grace is so rich.

Here is what I want you to know. There will be terrible times in the last days.People will love themselves. They will love money. They will brag and be proud. They will tear others down. They will not obey their parents. They won’t be thankful or holy.They won’t love others. They won’t forgive others. They will tell lies about people. They will be out of control. They will be wild. They will hate what is good.They will turn against their friends. They will act without thinking. They will think they are better than others. They will love what pleases them instead of loving God.They will act as if they were serving God. But what they do will show that they have turned their backs on God’s power. Have nothing to do with these people.They are the kind who trick their way into the homes of some women. These women are ready to believe anything. And they take control over these women. These women are loaded down with sins. They give in to all kinds of evil desires.They are always learning. But they are never able to come to know the truth.Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. In the same way, the teachers I’m talking about oppose the truth. Their minds are twisted. As far as the faith is concerned, God doesn’t accept them.They won’t get very far. Just like Jannes and Jambres, their foolish ways will be clear to everyone.

They must be stopped. They are making trouble for entire families. They do this by teaching things they shouldn’t. They do these things to cheat people.

If we don’t give up, we will also rule with him. If we say we don’t know him, he will also say he doesn’t know us.Even if we are not faithful, he remains faithful. He must be true to himself.

Don’t let anyone trick you in any way. That day will not come until people rise up against God. It will not come until the man of sin appears. He is a marked man. He is headed for ruin.He will oppose everything that is called God. He will oppose everything that is worshiped. He will give himself power over everything. He will set himself up in God’s temple. He will announce that he himself is God.Don’t you remember? When I was with you, I used to tell you these things.Now you know what is holding back the man of sin. He is held back so that he can make his appearance at the right time.The secret power of sin is already at work. But the one who now holds back that power will keep doing it until he is taken out of the way.Then the man of sin will appear. The Lord Jesus will overthrow him with the breath of his mouth. The glorious brightness of Jesus’ coming will destroy the man of sin.The coming of the man of sin will fit how Satan works. The man of sin will show his power through all kinds of signs and wonders. These signs and wonders will lead people astray.So people who are dying will be fooled by this evil. These people are dying because they refuse to love the truth. The truth would save them.So God will fool them completely. Then they will believe the lie.Many will not believe the truth. They will take pleasure in evil. They will be judged.

Even though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not see him now, you believe in him. You are filled with a glorious joy that can’t be put into words.

The only thing they have coming to them is death. Their stomach is their god. They brag about what they should be ashamed of. They think only about earthly things.

Then Jeremiah the prophet spoke to the false prophet Hananiah. Jeremiah said,“ Listen, Hananiah! The Lord hasn’t sent you. But you have tricked these people. Now they trust in lies.So the Lord says,‘ I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. Before this year is over, you will die. You have taught the people to turn against me.’ ”In the seventh month of that very year, the false prophet Hananiah died.

The elders and important leaders are the heads. The prophets who teach lies are the tails.

The God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has done this. God has brought glory to Jesus, who serves him. But you handed Jesus over to be killed. Pilate had decided to let him go. But you spoke against Jesus when he was in Pilate’s court.You spoke against the Holy and Blameless One. You asked for a murderer to be set free instead.

But I said,“ Lord and King, the prophets keep telling them something else. They say,‘ You won’t have to suffer from war or hunger. Instead, the Lord will give you peace and rest in this place.’ ”Then the Lord said to me,“ The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them. I have not even spoken to them. Everything they tell you about their visions or secret knowledge is a lie. They pretend to bring you messages from other gods. They try to get you to believe their own mistaken ideas.So here is what I am saying about the prophets who are prophesying in my name. I did not send them. But they are saying,‘ No war or hunger will come to this land.’ Those same prophets will die because of war and hunger.

But what about someone who says in front of others that he doesn’t know me? I, the Son of Man, will say in front of God’s angels that I don’t know him.

“ So I will come and put you on trial. I will be quick to bring charges against all of you,” says the Lord who rules over all.“ I will bring charges against you sinful people who do not have any respect for me. That includes those who practice evil magic. It includes those who commit adultery and those who tell lies in court. It includes those who cheat workers out of their pay. It includes those who treat widows badly. It also includes those who mistreat children whose fathers have died. And it includes those who take away the rights of outsiders in the courts.

“ I have heard what the prophets are saying. They prophesy lies in my name. They say,‘ I had a dream! The Lord has given me a dream!’How long will that continue in the hearts of these prophets who tell lies? They try to get others to believe their own mistaken ideas.They tell one another their dreams. They think that will make my people forget my name. In the same way, their people of long ago forgot my name when they worshiped Baal.Let the prophet who has a dream describe the dream. But let the one who has my message speak it faithfully. Your prophets have given you straw to eat instead of grain,” announces the Lord.“ My message is like fire,” announces the Lord.“ It is like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces.“ So I am against these prophets,” announces the Lord.“ I am against those who steal messages from one another. They claim that the messages come from me.Yes,” announces the Lord.“ I am against the prophets who speak their own words. But they still say,‘ Here is what the Lord says.’I am against prophets who talk about dreams that did not come from me,” announces the Lord.“ They tell foolish lies. Their lies lead my people astray. But I did not send these prophets. I did not appoint them. They do not help my people in the least,” announces the Lord.

Now send for people from all over Israel. Tell them to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the 450 prophets of the god named Baal. Also bring the 400 prophets of the female god named Asherah. All of them eat at Jezebel’s table.”So Ahab sent that message all through Israel. He gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel.Elijah went there and stood in front of the people. He said,“ How long will it take you to make up your minds? If the Lord is the one and only God, worship him. But if Baal is the one and only God, worship him.” The people didn’t say anything.Then Elijah said to them,“ I’m the only one of the Lord’ s prophets left. But Baal has 450 prophets.

Keep watch over yourselves. Keep watch over all the believers. The Holy Spirit has made you leaders over them. Be shepherds of God’s church. He bought it with his own blood.I know that after I leave, wild wolves will come in among you. They won’t spare any of the sheep.Even men from your own people will rise up and twist the truth. They want to get the believers to follow them.

People of Ephraim, the prophet, along with my God, is warning you of danger. But you set traps for him everywhere he goes. You hate him so much you even wait for him in God’s house.

The Lord says,“ The prophets are those who lead my people astray. If my people feed them, the prophets promise them peace. If my people do not feed them, the prophets prepare to go to war against them.

“ Send a message to all the people who were taken away. Tell them,‘ The Lord speaks about Shemaiah, the Nehelamite. He says,“ Shemaiah has prophesied to you. But I did not send him. He has made you trust in lies.So I say,‘ I will certainly punish Shemaiah, the Nehelamite. I will also punish his children after him. He will not have any children left among these people. I will do good things for my people. But he will not see them,’ ” ’ ” announces the Lord.“ ‘ “ ‘That’s because he has taught people to turn against me.’ ” ’ ”

The visions of your prophets were lies. They weren’t worth anything. They didn’t show you the sins you had committed. So that’s why you were captured. The messages they gave you were lies. They led you astray.

Israel’s prophets are blind. They don’t know the Lord. All of them are like watchdogs that can’t even bark. They just lie around and dream. They love to sleep.They are like dogs that love to eat. They never get enough. They are like shepherds who don’t have any understanding. All of them do as they please. They only look for what they can get for themselves.

Is that how you thank the Lord? You aren’t wise. You are foolish. Remember, he’s your Father. He’s your Creator. He made you. He formed you.

Christ set us free from the curse of the law. He did it by becoming a curse for us. It is written,“ Everyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.”( Deuteronomy 21:23)

False messiahs and false prophets will appear. They will do great signs and miracles. They will try to fool God’s chosen people if possible.

How terrible for you when everyone says good things about you! Their people treated the false prophets the same way long ago.

The Lord and King says,“ How terrible it will be for you foolish prophets! You say what your own minds tell you to. Your visions do not come from me.Israel, your prophets are like wild dogs that live among broken- down buildings.You have not repaired the cracks in the city wall for the people of Israel. So it will not stand firm in the battle on the day I judge you.The visions of those prophets are false. They use magic to try to find out what is going to happen. But their magic tricks are lies. They say,‘ The Lord announces.’ But I have not sent them. In spite of that, they expect him to make their words come true.You prophets have seen false visions. You have used magic to try to find out what is going to happen. But your magic tricks are lies. So you lied when you said,‘ The Lord announces.’ I did not even speak to you at all.”“‘ The Lord and King says,“ I am against you prophets. Your messages are false. Your visions do not come true,” announces the Lord and King.“ Israel, my power will be against the prophets who see false visions. Their magic tricks are lies. They will not be among the leaders of my people. They will not be listed in the records of Israel. In fact, they will not even enter the land. Then you will know that I am the Lord and King.“‘ “They lead my people away from me. They say,‘ Peace.’ But there isn’t any peace. They are like people who build a weak wall. They try to cover up the weakness by painting the wall white.Tell those who do this that their wall is going to fall. Heavy rains will come. I will send hailstones crashing down. Powerful winds will blow.The wall will fall down. Then people will ask them,‘ Now where is the paint you covered it with?’ ”“‘ So the Lord and King speaks. He says,“ When I am very angry, I will send a powerful wind. Hailstones and heavy rains will come. They will fall with great force.I will tear down the wall you prophets painted over. I will knock it down. The only thing left will be its foundation. When it falls, you will be destroyed along with it. Then you will know that I am the Lord.So I will pour out all my great anger on the wall. I will also send it against you prophets who painted it. I will say to you,‘ The wall is gone. You who painted it will be gone too.You prophets of Israel prophesied to Jerusalem. You saw visions of peace for its people. But there wasn’t any peace,’ announces the Lord and King.” ’“ Son of man, turn your attention to the daughters of your people. What they prophesy comes out of their own minds. So prophesy against them.Tell them,‘ Here is what the Lord and King says.“ How terrible it will be for you women who sew magic charms to put around your wrists! You make veils of different lengths to put on your heads. You do these things to trap people. You trap my people. But you will also be trapped.

The Lord who rules over all is the God of Israel. He says,“ Do not let the prophets trick you. Do not be fooled by those who claim to have secret knowledge. Do not listen to people who try to explain their dreams to you.All of them are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” announces the Lord.

People like that are not serving Christ our Lord. They are serving only themselves. With smooth talk and with words they don’t mean they fool people who don’t know any better.

They told you,“ In the last days, some people will make fun of the truth. They will follow their own ungodly desires.”

Your judges take money from people who want special favors. Your priests teach only if they get paid for it. Your prophets won’t tell fortunes unless they receive money. But you still look for the Lord’ s help. You say,“ The Lord is with us. No trouble will come on us.”

The Lord who rules over all says to the people of Judah,“ Do not listen to what the prophets are saying to you. They fill you with false hopes. They talk about visions that come from their own minds. What they say does not come from my mouth.They keep speaking to those who hate me. They say,‘ The Lord says you will have peace.’ They speak to all those who do what their stubborn hearts want them to do. They tell them,‘ No harm will come to you.’

Some people might still prophesy. But their own fathers and mothers will speak to them. They will tell them,‘ You must die. You have told lies in the Lord’ s name.’ When they prophesy, their own parents will stab them.“ At that time every prophet will be ashamed of the vision they see. They will no longer pretend to be a true prophet. They will not put on clothes that are made out of hair in order to trick people.

So the king of Israel brought about 400 prophets together. He asked them,“ Should I go to war against Ramoth Gilead? Or should I stay here?”“ Go,” they answered.“ The Lord will hand it over to you.”

People like that are false apostles. They are workers who tell lies. They only pretend to be apostles of Christ.That comes as no surprise. Even Satan himself pretends to be an angel of light.So it doesn’t surprise us that Satan’s servants also pretend to be serving God. They will finally get exactly what they deserve.

Don’t listen to the words of the prophets who say to you,‘ You won’t serve the king of Babylon.’ They are prophesying lies to you.‘ I have not sent them,’ announces the Lord.‘ They are prophesying lies in my name. So I will drive you away from your land. And you will die. So will the prophets who prophesy to you.’ ”

Suppose a prophet goes around telling lies. And he prophesies that you will have plenty of wine and beer. Then that kind of prophet would be just right for this nation!

I realized that God hadn’t sent Shemaiah. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. That’s why he had prophesied lies about me.They had hired him to scare me. They wanted me to commit a sin by doing what he said. That would give me a bad name in the community. People would find fault with me and my work.You are my God. Remember what Tobiah and Sanballat have done. Also remember the prophet Noadiah. She and the rest of the prophets have been trying to scare me.

Jesus replied,“ Keep watch! Be careful that you are not fooled. Many will come in my name. They will claim,‘ I am he!’ And they will say,‘ The time is near!’ Do not follow them.

Christ has paid the price for you. Don’t become slaves of human beings.

Many will come in my name. They will claim,‘ I am the Messiah!’ They will fool many people.

Where are your prophets who prophesied to you? They said,‘ The king of Babylon won’t attack you. He won’t march into this land.’