In verses 5-7 Jeremiah is forbidden to participate in the mourning rituals.

For is simply a transition to introduce the proclamation from the LORD. It is not necessary in many languages.

Thus says the LORD: See the comment at 2.2. In some languages it is helpful to repeat here that Jeremiah is the one being addressed, as in “Jeremiah, listen to me. You must not….”

The house of mourning may refer to a house or building used for that purpose. The meaning is perhaps better expressed as “a house where there is mourning” (Good News Translation; similarly New Jerusalem Bible). Revised English Bible (“a house where there is a funeral feast”) and New International Version (“a house where there is a funeral meal”) also have private homes in mind, but they focus upon the rituals connected with the mourning ceremony. The basis for this interpretation is found in verse 7, where food is served to the mourners at the completion of the fast observed in conjunction with the death. For the first clause of the LORD’s warning to Jeremiah, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “Do not enter a house of mourning, and stay away from any funeral services!”

Since lament and bemoan refer to the same action, it is possible to render them as a single verb: “Do not grieve for anyone” (Good News Translation) or “Do not express your sympathy to anyone!” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). Some translations, however, translate bemoan (see 15.5) as “bring comfort” (Revised English Bible) or “show sympathy” (New International Version). The two clauses would then be rendered “Do not go there to mourn anyone or to comfort anyone.”

For the meaning of peace, see the comment at 6.14. Since the word means well-being and peace, I have taken away my peace from this people is expressed in Good News Translation as “I will no longer bless my people with peace.” New International Version is similar with “I have withdrawn my blessing … from this people.”

For says the LORD, see 1.8.

For the meaning of steadfast love, see the comment at 2.2, where it is translated “devotion.” As indicated there, a key part of the meaning is faithfulness, particularly faithfulness to a person’s obligations such as a covenant. Until now God was faithful to love and bless his people. The term rendered mercy is found only here and in 42.12. Translators may render the two terms in a clause such as “I will no longer show these people love or compassion.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .