¹⁸ I said, “None of these prophets has ever known the Lord's secret thoughts. None of them has ever heard or understood his message, or ever listened or paid attention to what he said.

²¹ The Lord said, “I did not send these prophets, but even so they went. I did not give them any message, but still they spoke in my name. ²² If they had known my secret thoughts, then they could have proclaimed my message to my people and could have made them give up the evil lives they live and the wicked things they do.