Jeremiah Must Live His Message 1The Lord said to me: 2Jeremiah,
don't get married and have children—Judah is no place to raise a
family. 3I'll tell you what's going to happen to children and
their parents here. 4They will die of horrible diseases and of
war and starvation. No one will give them a funeral or bury
them, and their bodies will be food for the birds and wild
animals. And what's left will lie on the ground like manure.
5When someone dies, don't visit the family or show any sorrow. I
will no longer love or bless or have any pity on the people of
Judah. 6Rich and poor alike will die and be left unburied. No
one will mourn and show their sorrow by cutting themselves or
shaving their heads.#16.6 mourn and show their sorrow by cutting
themselves or shaving their heads: A custom in some Canaanite
religions. 7No one will bring food and wine to help comfort
those who are mourning the death of their father or mother.
8Don't even set foot in a house where there is eating and
drinking and celebrating. 9#Jr 7.