and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the women who sew magic bands upon all wrists, and make veils for the heads of persons of every stature, in the hunt for souls! Will you hunt down souls belonging to my people and keep your own souls alive?
It is said, then, woe to those who sew pillows or cushions; it is the same thing — to all armholes, and to those who make covers for the head of every stature. There is no doubt that by these tricks they deluded the minds and eyes of the simple.
The devil works through prophetesses no less than through male false prophets, and their sex neither excuses their sin nor shields them from God's rebuke. These women prophesy from their own hearts, saying whatever comes uppermost, and they find eager listeners among people who prefer pleasing lies to hard truths. When sinners grow bold, reprovers must be bold as well.
AI summary
Commenting on Ezekiel 13:17-23
Wherefore thus saith the Lord God, behold, I am against your pillows,.... Not only had an abhorrence of them, but was determined to destroy them, detect their fallacies, and expose the folly of such actions, and them to shame and contempt: wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly; to the places where they prophesied; into the toils and nets they spread for...