or tattoo yourselves or cut gashes in your body to mourn for the dead. I am the LORD.

"You are the people of the LORD your God. So when you mourn for the dead, don't gash yourselves or shave the front of your head, as other people do.

Will the LORD be pleased if I bring him thousands of sheep or endless streams of olive oil? Shall I offer him my first-born child to pay for my sins?

Day and night he wandered among the tombs and through the hills, screaming and cutting himself with stones.

"Many times the evil spirit has tried to kill him by throwing him in the fire and into water. Have pity on us and help us, if you possibly can!"