And even as they did not like to retain God in {their} knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; {to retain: or, to acknowledge} {a reprobate...: or, a mind void of judgment or, an unapproving mind}

Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of {them that are} slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity {shall have} an end.

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified {him} not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

For our exhortation {was} not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose {that} in which I delighted not. {delusions: or, devices}

And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. {indeed, but understand: or, without ceasing, etc: Heb. in hearing, etc}

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?

For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish.

Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. {cry ye...: or, take your pleasure, and riot}

Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and {on} his left.

He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, {Is there} not a lie in my right hand?

And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and {there was} a javelin in Saul's hand.

The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken {man} staggereth in his vomit. {a perverse...: Heb. a spirit of perversities}

They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms {is} in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD. {They will...: or, Their doings will not suffer them} {frame: Heb. give}

Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness. {iniquity unto...: or, punishment of iniquity, etc}

And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.

And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and {there shall be} a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing {them} to err.

O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, {and} hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made {others} to hope that they would confirm the word.

As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter {also}, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.

And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.

If a man or woman have a plague upon the head or the beard;

Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:

And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.

Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images. {Their heart...: or, He hath divided their heart} {break...: Heb. behead} {images: Heb. statues, or, standing images}

For our exhortation {was} not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: