1. The Lord spoke his word to me. He said,
2. “Don’t marry! Don’t have any sons or daughters in this place!
3. This is what the Lord says about the sons and daughters born in this place and about the mothers and fathers who have children in this land:
4. They will die horrible deaths. No one will mourn for them or bury them. They will be like manure on the ground. Wars and famines will bring them to an end. Their bodies will be food for birds and animals.
5. “This is what the Lord says: Don’t go into a house where people are grieving. Don’t go to mourn or to grieve for them. I’m taking my peace, love, and compassion away from these people,” declares the Lord.
6. “Old and young alike will die in this land. No one will mourn for them or bury them. No one will cut his own body or shave his own head for them.
7. No one will offer food to comfort those who mourn the dead. No one will give a consoling drink to those who have lost their fathers or mothers.
8. “Don’t even go into a home where there is a banquet. Don’t sit with them to eat and drink.
9. This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: I’m going to put a stop to the sounds of joy and happiness and the sounds of brides and grooms in this place. This will happen in your lifetime, while you watch.