Jeremiah 23:34
And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house. And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house.
Jeremiah 23:34 belongs to chapters 12 to 24 of Jeremiah, which warn the Jews. Like the rest of the book, its context uses striking symbols and signs and figures of speech. The verse belongs to a passage that contrasts those through whom God truly speaks with false prophets and warns against the false. The false prophets were not sent by God and did not stand in His counsel, so they did not cause the people to hear His words and did not turn them from their evil way and the evil of their doings. The false prophets profane what is holy, violate God's law, lead His people astray, and strengthen the wicked.
By contrast, God's true word works like fire and like a hammer that shatters rock. God declares Himself against prophets who steal His words from one another, every one from his neighbor. Any prophet, priest, or ordinary person who falsely claims to speak a burden-message from the Lord will be punished, along with his household. Its warning and appeal stands joined to assurances of the heavenly Father's kindness and everlasting love that apply with special force to the present day.