Zephaniah 3:4

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

Her prophets are proud; they are deceitful men. Her priests have defiled what is holy; they have broken God’s laws.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Ezek 22:26 : 26 Her priests abuse my law and have desecrated my holy things. They do not distinguish between the holy and the profane, or recognize any distinction between the unclean and the clean. They ignore my Sabbaths and I am profaned in their midst.
  • Hos 9:7 : 7 The time of judgment is about to arrive! The time of retribution is imminent! Israel will be humbled! Israel Rejects Hosea’s Prophetic Exhortations The prophet is considered a fool– the inspired man is viewed as a madman– because of the multitude of your sins and your intense animosity.
  • Mal 2:8 : 8 You, however, have turned from the way. You have caused many to violate the law; you have corrupted the covenant with Levi,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
  • Matt 7:15 : 15 A Tree and Its Fruit“Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves.
  • 2 Cor 11:13 : 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
  • 2 Pet 2:1-3 : 1 The False Teachers’ Ungodly Lifestyle 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. 2 And many will follow their debauched lifestyles. Because of these false teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. Their condemnation pronounced long ago is not sitting idly by; their destruction is not asleep.
  • 1 John 4:1 : 1 Testing the Spirits Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
  • Rev 19:20 : 20 Now the beast was seized, and along with him the false prophet who had performed the signs on his behalf– signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur.
  • Mic 2:11 : 11 If a lying windbag should come and say,‘I’ll promise you blessings of wine and beer,’ he would be just the right preacher for these people!
  • Mic 3:5-6 : 5 This is what the LORD has said about the prophets who mislead my people,“If someone gives them enough to eat, they offer an oracle of peace. But if someone does not give them food, they are ready to declare war on him. 6 Therefore night will fall, and you will receive no visions; it will grow dark, and you will no longer be able to read the omens. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn to darkness over their heads.
  • Ezek 44:7-8 : 7 When you bring foreigners, those uncircumcised in heart and in flesh, into my sanctuary, you desecrate it– even my house– when you offer my food, the fat and the blood. You have broken my covenant by all your abominable practices. 8 You have not kept charge of my holy things, but you have assigned foreigners to keep charge of my sanctuary for you.
  • Hos 4:6-8 : 6 You have destroyed my people by failing to acknowledge me! Because you refuse to acknowledge me, I will reject you as my priests. Because you reject the law of your God, I will reject your descendants. 7 The more the priests increased in numbers, the more they rebelled against me. They have turned their glorious calling into a shameful disgrace! 8 They feed on the sin offerings of my people; their appetites long for their iniquity!
  • 1 Sam 2:12-17 : 12 But the sons of Eli were wicked men. They did not acknowledge the LORD’s authority. 13 This was the priests’ routine with the people. Whenever anyone was making a sacrifice, the priest’s attendant would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand, just as the meat was boiling. 14 He would jab it into the basin, kettle, cauldron, or pot. Everything that the fork would bring up the priest would take for himself. This is how they used to treat all the Israelites who came there to Shiloh. 15 Also, before they burned the fat the priest’s attendant would come and say to the person who was making the sacrifice,“Give some meat for the priest to roast! He won’t accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.” 16 If the individual said to him,“They should certainly burn the fat away first, then take for yourself whatever you wish,” he would say,“No! Give it now! If not, I’ll take it by force!” 17 The sin of these young men was very great in the LORD’s sight, for they treated the LORD’s offering with contempt.
  • 1 Sam 2:22 : 22 Eli was very old. And he would hear about everything that his sons used to do to all the people of Israel and how they used to go to bed with the women who were stationed at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
  • Isa 9:15 : 15 The leaders and the highly respected people are the head, the prophets who teach lies are the tail.
  • Isa 56:10-12 : 10 All their watchmen are blind, they are unaware. All of them are like mute dogs, unable to bark. They pant, lie down, and love to snooze. 11 The dogs have big appetites; they are never full. They are shepherds who have no understanding; they all go their own way, each one looking for monetary gain. 12 Each one says,‘Come on, I’ll get some wine! Let’s guzzle some beer! Tomorrow will be just like today! We’ll have everything we want!’
  • Jer 5:31 : 31 The prophets prophesy lies. The priests exercise power by their own authority. And my people love to have it this way. But they will not be able to help you when the time of judgment comes!
  • Jer 6:13-14 : 13 “That is because, from the least important to the most important of them, all of them are greedy for dishonest gain. Prophets and priests alike, all of them practice deceit. 14 They offer only superficial help for the harm my people have suffered. They say,‘Everything will be all right!’ But everything is not all right!
  • Jer 8:10 : 10 So I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. For from the least important to the most important of them, all of them are greedy for dishonest gain. Prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit.
  • Jer 14:13-15 : 13 Then I said,“Oh, Sovereign LORD, look! The prophets are telling them that you said,‘You will not experience war or suffer famine. I will give you lasting peace and prosperity in this land.’” 14 Then the LORD said to me,“Those prophets are prophesying lies while claiming my authority! I did not send them. I did not commission them. I did not speak to them. They are prophesying to these people false visions, worthless predictions, and the delusions of their own mind. 15 I did not send those prophets, though they claim to be prophesying in my name. They may be saying,‘No war or famine will happen in this land.’ But I, the LORD, say this about them:‘War and starvation will kill those prophets.’
  • Jer 23:9-9 : 9 Oracles Against the False Prophets Here is what the LORD says concerning the false prophets: My heart and my mind are deeply disturbed. I tremble all over. I am like a drunk person, like a person who has had too much wine, because of the way the LORD and his holy word are being mistreated. 10 For the land is full of people unfaithful to him. They live wicked lives and they misuse their power. So the land is dried up because it is under his curse. The pastures in the wilderness are withered. 11 Moreover, the LORD says,“Both the prophets and priests are godless. I have even found them doing evil in my temple! 12 So the paths they follow will be dark and slippery. They will stumble and fall headlong. For I will bring disaster on them. A day of reckoning is coming for them.” The LORD affirms it! 13 The LORD says,“I saw the prophets of Samaria doing something that was disgusting. They prophesied in the name of the god Baal and led my people Israel astray. 14 But I see the prophets of Jerusalem doing something just as shocking. They are unfaithful to me and continually prophesy lies. So they give encouragement to people who are doing evil, with the result that they do not stop their evildoing. I consider all of them as bad as the people of Sodom, and the citizens of Jerusalem as bad as the people of Gomorrah. 15 So then I, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, 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.’” 16 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies says to the people of Jerusalem:“Do not listen to what those prophets are saying to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They are reporting visions of their own imaginations, not something the LORD has given them to say. 17 They continually say to those who reject what the LORD has said,‘Things will go well for you!’ They say to all those who follow the stubborn inclinations of their own hearts,‘Nothing bad will happen to you!’
  • Jer 23:25-27 : 25 The LORD says,“I have heard what those prophets who are prophesying lies in my name are saying. They are saying,‘I have had a dream! I have had a dream!’ 26 Those prophets are just prophesying lies. They are prophesying the delusions of their own minds. 27 How long will they go on plotting to make my people forget who I am through the dreams they tell one another? That is just as bad as what their ancestors did when they forgot who I am by worshiping the god Baal.
  • Jer 23:32 : 32 I, the LORD, affirm that I am opposed to those prophets who dream up lies and report them. They are misleading my people with their reckless lies. I did not send them. I did not commission them. They are not helping these people at all. I, the LORD, affirm it!”
  • Jer 27:14-15 : 14 Do not listen to the prophets who are telling you that you do not need to serve the king of Babylon. For they are prophesying lies to you. 15 For I, the LORD, affirm that I did not send them. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. If you listen to them, I will drive you and the prophets who are prophesying lies out of the land and you will all die in exile.”
  • Lam 2:14 : 14 נ(Nun) Your prophets saw visions for you that were worthless whitewash. They failed to expose your sin so as to restore your fortunes. They saw oracles for you that were worthless lies.
  • Ezek 13:3-9 : 3 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit but have seen nothing! 4 Your prophets have become like jackals among the ruins, O Israel. 5 You have not gone up in the breaks in the wall, nor repaired a wall for the house of Israel that it would stand strong in the battle on the day of the LORD. 6 They see delusion and their omens are a lie. They say,“the LORD declares,” though the LORD has not sent them; yet they expect their word to be confirmed. 7 Have you not seen a false vision and announced a lying omen when you say,“the LORD declares,” although I myself never spoke? 8 “‘Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because you have spoken false words and forecast delusion, look, I am against you, declares the Sovereign LORD. 9 My hand will be against the prophets who see delusion and announce lying omens. They will not be included in the council of my people, nor be written in the registry of the house of Israel, nor enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD. 10 “‘This is because they have led my people astray saying,“All is well,” when things are not well. When anyone builds a wall without mortar, they coat it with whitewash. 11 Tell the ones who coat it with whitewash that it will fall. When there is a deluge of rain, hailstones will fall and a violent wind will break out. 12 When the wall has collapsed, people will ask you,“Where is the whitewash you coated it with?” 13 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: In my rage I will make a violent wind break out. In my anger there will be a deluge of rain and hailstones in destructive fury. 14 I will break down the wall you coated with whitewash and knock it to the ground so that its foundation is exposed. When it falls you will be destroyed beneath it, and you will know that I am the LORD. 15 I will vent my rage against the wall, and against those who coated it with whitewash. Then I will say to you,“The wall is no more and those who whitewashed it are no more– 16 those prophets of Israel who would prophesy about Jerusalem and would see visions of peace for it, when there was no peace,” declares the Sovereign LORD.’

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Zeph 3:3
    84%

    3Her princes are as fierce as roaring lions; her rulers are as hungry as wolves in the desert, who completely devour their prey by morning.

  • Lam 4:13-14
    2 verses
    82%

    13מ(Mem) But it happened due to the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who poured out in her midst the blood of the righteous.

    14נ(Nun) They wander blindly through the streets, defiled by the blood they shed, while no one dares to touch their garments.

  • Ezek 22:25-28
    4 verses
    81%

    25Her princes within her are like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they have devoured lives. They take away riches and valuable things; they have made many women widows within it.

    26Her priests abuse my law and have desecrated my holy things. They do not distinguish between the holy and the profane, or recognize any distinction between the unclean and the clean. They ignore my Sabbaths and I am profaned in their midst.

    27Her officials are like wolves in her midst rending their prey– shedding blood and destroying lives– so they can get dishonest profit.

    28Her prophets coat their messages with whitewash. They see false visions and announce lying omens for them, saying,‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.

  • Mic 3:10-12
    3 verses
    79%

    10You build Zion through bloody crimes, Jerusalem through unjust violence.

    11Her leaders take bribes when they decide legal cases, her priests proclaim rulings for profit, and her prophets read omens for pay. Yet they claim to trust the LORD and say,“The LORD is among us. Disaster will not overtake us!”

    12Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed up like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins, and the Temple Mount will become a hill overgrown with brush!

  • Jer 23:11
    78%

    11Moreover, the LORD says,“Both the prophets and priests are godless. I have even found them doing evil in my temple!

  • Zeph 3:5
    76%

    5The just LORD resides within her; he commits no unjust acts. Every morning he reveals his justice. At dawn he appears without fail. Yet the unjust know no shame.

  • Jer 5:31
    76%

    31The prophets prophesy lies. The priests exercise power by their own authority. And my people love to have it this way. But they will not be able to help you when the time of judgment comes!

  • Lam 1:10
    76%

    10י(Yod) An enemy grabbed all her valuables. Indeed she watched in horror as Gentiles invaded her holy temple– those whom you had commanded:“They must not enter your assembly place.”

  • Lam 2:9
    76%

    9ט(Tet) Her city gates have fallen to the ground; he smashed to bits the bars that lock her gates. Her king and princes were taken into exile; there is no more guidance available. As for her prophets, they no longer receive a vision from the LORD.

  • Jer 2:8
    75%

    8Your priests did not ask,‘Where is the LORD?’ Those responsible for teaching my law did not really know me. Your rulers rebelled against me. Your prophets prophesied in the name of the god Baal. They all worshiped idols that could not help them.

  • Jer 6:13-14
    2 verses
    75%

    13“That is because, from the least important to the most important of them, all of them are greedy for dishonest gain. Prophets and priests alike, all of them practice deceit.

    14They offer only superficial help for the harm my people have suffered. They say,‘Everything will be all right!’ But everything is not all right!

  • Isa 1:21-22
    2 verses
    75%

    21Purifying Judgment How tragic that the once-faithful city has become a prostitute! She was once a center of justice, fairness resided in her, but now only murderers.

    22Your silver has become scum, your beer is diluted with water.

  • Mic 3:5
    74%

    5This is what the LORD has said about the prophets who mislead my people,“If someone gives them enough to eat, they offer an oracle of peace. But if someone does not give them food, they are ready to declare war on him.

  • Jer 23:14-15
    2 verses
    74%

    14But I see the prophets of Jerusalem doing something just as shocking. They are unfaithful to me and continually prophesy lies. So they give encouragement to people who are doing evil, with the result that they do not stop their evildoing. I consider all of them as bad as the people of Sodom, and the citizens of Jerusalem as bad as the people of Gomorrah.

    15So then I, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, 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.’”

  • Ezek 13:4
    74%

    4Your prophets have become like jackals among the ruins, O Israel.

  • Zeph 3:1
    74%

    1Jerusalem is Corrupt Beware to the filthy, stained city; the city filled with oppressors!

  • Jer 5:11
    73%

    11For the nations of Israel and Judah have been very unfaithful to me,”says the LORD.

  • Hos 6:9
    73%

    9The company of priests is like a gang of robbers, lying in ambush to pounce on a victim. They commit murder on the road to Shechem; they have done heinous crimes!

  • Jer 23:1
    73%

    1New Leaders over a Regathered Remnant The LORD says,“The leaders of my people are sure to be judged. They were supposed to watch over my people like shepherds watch over their sheep. But they are causing my people to be destroyed and scattered.

  • Jer 4:9
    73%

    9“When this happens,” says the LORD,“the king and his officials will lose their courage. The priests will be struck with horror, and the prophets will be speechless in astonishment.”

  • Jer 4:17
    73%

    17They will surround Jerusalem like men guarding a field because they have rebelled against me,” says the LORD.

  • Jer 2:26
    73%

    26Just as a thief has to suffer dishonor when he is caught, so the people of Israel will suffer dishonor for what they have done. So will their kings and officials, their priests and their prophets.

  • 2 Chr 36:14
    73%

    14All the leaders of the priests and people became more unfaithful and committed the same horrible sins practiced by the nations. They defiled the LORD’s temple which he had consecrated in Jerusalem.

  • Jer 3:9-10
    2 verses
    73%

    9Because she took her prostitution so lightly, she defiled the land through her adulterous worship of gods made of wood and stone.

    10In spite of all this, Israel’s sister, unfaithful Judah, has not turned back to me with any sincerity; she has only pretended to do so,” says the LORD.

  • Lam 1:5
    73%

    5ה(He) Her foes subjugated her; her enemies are at ease. For the LORD afflicted her because of her many acts of rebellion. Her children went away captive before the enemy.

  • Jer 8:10-11
    2 verses
    73%

    10So I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. For from the least important to the most important of them, all of them are greedy for dishonest gain. Prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit.

    11They offer only superficial help for the hurt my dear people have suffered. They say,“Everything will be all right!” But everything is not all right!

  • Ps 55:10-11
    2 verses
    73%

    10Day and night they walk around on its walls, while wickedness and destruction are within it.

    11Disaster is within it; violence and deceit do not depart from its public square.

  • Amos 3:10
    72%

    10“They do not know how to do what is right.”(The LORD is speaking.)“They store up the spoils of destructive violence in their fortresses.

  • Ezek 5:6
    72%

    6Then she defied my regulations and my statutes, becoming more wicked than the nations and the countries around her. Indeed, they have rejected my regulations, and they do not follow my statutes.

  • Jer 6:7
    72%

    7As a well continually pours out fresh water so it continually pours out wicked deeds. Sounds of violence and destruction echo throughout it. All I see are sick and wounded people.’

  • Nah 3:4
    72%

    4Taunt against the Harlot City“Because you have acted like a wanton prostitute– a seductive mistress who practices sorcery, who enslaves nations by her harlotry, and entices peoples by her sorcery–

  • Isa 3:8
    72%

    8Jerusalem certainly stumbles, Judah falls, for their words and their actions offend the LORD; they rebel against his royal authority.

  • Hos 4:5
    72%

    5You stumble day and night, and the false prophets stumble with you; You have destroyed your own people!

  • Ezek 22:9
    72%

    9Slanderous men shed blood within you. Those who live within you eat pagan sacrifices on the mountains; they commit obscene acts among you.

  • Hos 5:1
    72%

    1Announcement of Sin and Judgment Hear this, you priests! Pay attention, you Israelites! Listen closely, O king! For judgment is about to overtake you! For you were like a trap to Mizpah, like a net spread out to catch Tabor.

  • Ezek 22:7
    72%

    7They have treated father and mother with contempt within you; they have oppressed the resident foreigner among you; they have wronged the orphan and the widow within you.

  • Ezek 23:38
    72%

    38Moreover, they have done this to me: In the very same day they desecrated my sanctuary and profaned my Sabbaths.

  • Hos 6:5
    72%

    5Therefore, I will certainly cut you into pieces at the hands of the prophets; I will certainly kill you in fulfillment of my oracles of judgment; for my judgment will come forth like the light of the dawn.