For this is what the Lord says: “Do not enter a house of (A)mourning, or go to mourn or to console them; for I have (B)withdrawn My peace from this people,” declares the Lord, “and My (C)favor and compassion. Both (D)great people and small will die in this land; they will not be buried, people will not mourn for them, nor will anyone (E)make cuts on himself or have his head (F)shaved for them. People will not (G)break bread in mourning for them, to comfort anyone for the dead, nor give them a cup of consolation to drink for anyone’s father or mother.

Read full chapter

“Moreover I, the Lord, tell you:[a] ‘Do not go into a house where they are having a funeral meal. Do not go there to mourn and express your sorrow for them. For I have stopped showing them my good favor,[b] my love, and my compassion. I, the Lord, so affirm it![c] Rich and poor alike will die in this land. They will not be buried or mourned. People will not cut their bodies or shave off their hair to show their grief for them.[d] No one will take any food to those who mourn for the dead to comfort them. No one will give them any wine to drink to console them for the loss of their father or mother.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 16:5 tn Heb “For thus says the Lord…”
  2. Jeremiah 16:5 tn Heb “my peace.” The Hebrew word שְׁלוֹמִי (shelomi) can be translated “peace, prosperity” or “well-being” (referring to wholeness or health of body and soul).
  3. Jeremiah 16:5 tn Heb “Oracle of the Lord.”
  4. Jeremiah 16:6 sn These were apparently pagan customs associated with mourning (Isa 15:2; Jer 47:5) that were forbidden in Israel (Lev 19:28; 21:5) but apparently practiced anyway (Jer 41:5).