Albert Barnes Commentary Isaiah 30:10

"that say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits," — Isaiah 30:10 (ASV)

Which say to the seers—The prophets (see the note at Isaiah 1:1).

See not—They do not desire that the prophets should communicate to them the will of Yahweh.

Prophesy not to us right things—It is not probable that they openly demanded of the prophets that they should declare falsehood and deceit, but their conduct was as if they had required that. The sense is, they bore with impatience the threatenings and commands of the true prophets; they were offended at their plainness and their reproofs of their vices; and they preferred the false prophets, who catered to their prejudices and did not denounce the judgment of God for their crimes.

Speak to us smooth things—That is, those things which are in accordance with our feelings, prejudices, and desires; which assure us of prosperity and success, and which will not disturb us with the apprehension of punishment. This was spoken particularly of their desire to make a league with Egypt, an enterprise for which the true prophets threatened them with divine displeasure, but which the false prophets probably encouraged.

Prophesy deceits—Not that they would openly and avowedly demand to be deceived, but they demanded that which the prophet says would be deceits. No man professedly desires to be deceived; but many a man is willing to put himself under that kind of teaching which is deceit, and which he might know to be falsehood if he would examine it.