Charles Ellicott Commentary Jeremiah 5:31

"the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" — Jeremiah 5:31 (ASV)

Prophesy falsely. —Literally, with a lie, as in Jeremiah 20:6 and Jeremiah 29:9.

Bear rule by their means. —A better translation is move at their hands, that is, according to their direction (as seen in 1 Chronicles 25:2 and 2 Chronicles 23:18). The Vulgate and Septuagint translate it as The priests applauded with their hands. Understood this way, Jeremiah’s words depict the priests following the prophets, rather than the prophets being instruments of the priests. In Isaiah 9:15, the prophets are referred to as the tail, the most base element in the nation.

My people love to have it ... —These words imply more than acquiescence in evil, and describe an ethical condition like that found in Romans 1:32. The final question implies that the people were rushing into a destruction which they would have no power to avert.