Then many false prophets will appear and fool many people.

For false Messiahs and false prophets will appear; they will perform great miracles and wonders in order to deceive even God's chosen people, if possible.

But the LORD replied, "The prophets are telling lies in my name; I did not send them, nor did I give them any orders or speak one word to them. The visions they talk about have not come from me; their predictions are worthless things that they have imagined.

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.

I know what those prophets have said who speak lies in my name and claim that I have given them my messages in their dreams.

I have come with my Father's authority, but you have not received me; when, however, someone comes with his own authority, you will receive him.

You remember that Theudas appeared some time ago, claiming to be somebody great, and about four hundred men joined him. But he was killed, all his followers were scattered, and his movement died out.

After that, Judas the Galilean appeared during the time of the census; he drew a crowd after him, but he also was killed, and all his followers were scattered.

A man named Simon lived there, who for some time had astounded the Samaritans with his magic. He claimed that he was someone great,

and everyone in the city, from all classes of society, paid close attention to him. "He is that power of God known as 'The Great Power,' " they said.

All people living on earth will worship it, except those whose names were written before the creation of the world in the book of the living which belongs to the Lamb that was killed.