Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Ezekiel 22:26
Her prophets are arrogant; they are treacherous men. Her priests profane the sanctuary and do violence to the law. Zephaniah 3:4
These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. Jude 12a
I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20: 29-30
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Matthew 7:15-16a
They were guilty of levity, trifling with the weightiest matters. There was no gravity or steadfastness in their life or teaching. They were treacherous because they were unfaithful to Him whom they claimed to represent, rather encouraging the people in their apostasy from the Lord. By their unholy deeds they profaned the sanctuary; they made the sacred profane. They did violence to the Law by distorting its plain intent and meaning when they were teaching the people.
Charles L. Feinberg (1909-1995) from The Minor Prophets
