21 Bible Verses about Nominal Religion

Thou didst plant them, yea they took root, They have gone on yea they have borne fruit, - Near, art thou, in their mouth, But far off from their affections,

Dross silver overlaid upon earthenware, so are burning lips, with a mischievous heart:

Yet, me - day by day, do they seek, And in the knowledge of my ways, they delight, - Like a nation that had done righteousness, And the justice of their God, had not forsaken They ask of me the just regulations, In approaching God, they delight.

That they may come unto thee as people do come And may sit before thee as my people, And they will hear thy words, But the, words themselves, they not do, - though fond with their mouths, they seem to be, After their unjust gain, their heart is going. And lo! thou art to them - As a bewitching song, Of one with a beautiful voice. And skilfully touching the strings, - So will they hear thy words, And yet be going to do none of them.

Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because ye make yourselves like sepulchres whitewashed, which, outside, indeed, appear, beautiful, but, within, are full, of dead men's bones and all uncleanness, - Thus, ye also, outside, indeed, appear to men, righteous, but, within, are full, of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Hypocrites! well prophesied concerning you, Isaiah, saying - This people, with the lips, do, honour, me, while, their heart, far off, holdeth from me; But, in vain, do they pay devotions unto me, teaching, for teachings, the commandments of men.

But, he, said unto them - Well, prophesied Isaiah concerning you, ye hypocrites, as it is written - This people, with the lips do honour me, while, their heart, far off, holdeth from me, - But, in vain, do they pay devotions unto me, teaching for teachings, the commandments of men;

Wherefore My Lord hath said, - Because this people, hath drawn near with their mouth, And with their lips, have honoured me, But their heart, have they moved far from me, And so their reverence of me hath become A commandment of men in which they have been schooled,

God, they confess that they know, but, by their works, they deny him, being, abominable, and obdurate, and, as to any good work, found, worthless.

Beware of false prophets, who come unto you in clothing of sheep, - while, within, they are ravening wolves. By their fruits, shall ye find, them, out, - unless perhaps men gather - from thorns, grapes! or, from thistles, figs! So, every good tree, fine fruit, produceth, - whereas, the worthless tree, evil fruit, produceth:read more.
It is, impossible, for a, good tree, to be bearing, evil fruit, neither doth, a worthless tree, produce, fine fruit. Every tree that beareth not fine fruit, is hewn down, and, into fire, is cast. After all then, by their fruits, shall ye find, them, out. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord! Lord! shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens, - but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in the heavens. Many, will say unto me, in, that, day, Lord! Lord! did we not, in thy name, prophesy, and, in thy name, cast, demons, out, - and, in thy name, many works of power, perform? And, then, will I confess unto them, Never, have I acknowledged you, - Depart from me, ye workers of lawlessness!

Even as I exhorted thee to remain in Ephesus, when I was journeying into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some - Not to be teaching otherwise, nor yet to be giving heed to stories and endless genealogies, - the which, bring, arguings, rather than that stewardship of God which is with faith; - Now, the end of the charge, is love - out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith unfeigned, -read more.
Which some, missing, have turned them aside unto idle talk, Desiring to be law-teachers, - not understanding, either what they say or whereof they confidently affirm.

He that saith - I understand him! And, his commandments, is not keeping, is false, and, in him, the truth is not!

Then said Samuel - Doth that which is pleasing unto Yahweh consist in ascending-offerings and sacrifices, So much as in hearkening unto the voice of Yahweh? Lo! to hearken, is, better, than, sacrifice. And, to give heed, than, the fat of rams;

Of what use to me, is your multitude of sacrifices: Saith Yahweh: I am sated with ascending-offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts, - In the blood of bulls and young rams and he-goats, have I no pleasure. When ye enter to see my face, Who hath required this at your hand trampling my courts? Ye shall not again bring in an empty, present, Incense, an abomination, is that unto me! New moon, and sabbath calling an assembly - I cannot endure, iniquity and sacred festival!read more.
Your new moons and your appointed feasts, my soul, hateth, - They have become unto me a burden I am too weary to bear: Even when ye spread forth your open palms, I hide mine eyes from you; Yea, though ye multiply prayers, I am not hearkening, - Your hands, with deeds of blood, are filled.

I hate, I despise your festivals, - and can scent no fragrance in your solemn feasts. Nay, though ye cause to ascend unto me ascending-sacrifices, and your meal-offerings, I will not accept them , - nor, the peace-offering of your fat heifers, will I regard. Take thou away from me, the noise of thy songs, - Even the melody of thy harps, will I not hear.read more.
But let, justice, roll along like water, - and, righteousness, as a torrent over flowing.

But go ye, and learn what this meaneth, - Mercy, I desire, and not, sacrifice; For I came, not to call the righteous, but sinners.

If, however, ye had known what this meaneth - Mercy, I desire, and not, sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the blameless;

For, lovingkindness, I desired, and not sacrifice, - and the knowledge of God, more than ascending-offerings.

The sacrifice of lawless men, is an abomination to Yahweh, but, the prayer of the upright, is his delight.

He that slaughtereth an ox, is as one who smiteth a man, He that sacrificeth a lamb, is as one who beheadeth a dog, he that causeth a meal-offering to ascend, offereth it with the blood of swine, He that maketh a memorial of frankincense, is as one who blesseth iniquity: They indeed, have chosen their own ways, And in their own abominations, their soul hath found delight; I, also, will choose the things that vex them. And the things they dread, will I bring upon them, Because - I called and there was none to answer, I spake, and they hearkened not, - But did that which was wicked in mine eyes, And of that wherein I delighted not, made choice.

But, of this, be taking note - that, in last days, there will set in perilous seasons; For men will be - fond of themselves, fond of money, ostentatious, arrogant, defamers, to parents, unyielding, unthankful, unkind, without natural affection, accepting no truce, given to intrigue, without self-control, uncivilized, unfriendly to good men,read more.
traitors, reckless, beclouded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but, the power thereof, denying! and, from these, turn away;