Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 23:30-32

"Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith Jehovah, that steal my words every one from his neighbor. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith Jehovah, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Behold, I am against them that prophesy lying dreams, saith Jehovah, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I sent them not, nor commanded them; neither do they profit this people at all, saith Jehovah." — Jeremiah 23:30-32 (ASV)

Here, he recalls the three methods of deception.

1. First, from a corrupt use of Scripture: who steal my words, as if to give them a meaning other than what the prophets truly intended. He who does not enter through the gate in the sheepfold is a thief and a robber (John 10:1).
2. Second, from the falsehood of their words: against the prophets, that is, against those who take up their tongues, inventing words. As it says elsewhere: they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they have labored to do iniquity (Jeremiah 9:5).
3. Third, from the use of dreams: behold, I am against the prophets who dream a lie . . . with their wonders, that is, with inflated speech. Who see vain things, sleeping, and loving dreams (Isaiah 56:10).