³⁰ “For the Judeans have done what is evil in my sight.” This is the Lord’s declaration. “They have set up their abhorrent things^(A) in the house that bears my name in order to defile it.^{(B) 31} They have built the high places of Topheth^[a](C) in Ben Hinnom Valley^[b](D) in order to burn their sons and daughters in the fire,^(E) a thing I did not command; I never entertained the thought.

³² “Therefore, look, the days are coming”^(F)—the Lord’s declaration—“when this place will no longer be called Topheth and Ben Hinnom Valley, but Slaughter Valley.^(G) Topheth will become a cemetery,^[c] because there will be no other burial place. ³³ The corpses of these people will become food for the birds of the sky and for the wild animals of the land, with no one to scare them away.^{(H) 34} I will remove from the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem the sound of joy and gladness and the voices of the groom and the bride,^(I) for the land will become a desolate waste.^(J)