# A voice was heard ... they were no more

Matthew is quoting the prophet Jeremiah.

# A voice was heard

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "People heard a voice" or "There was a loud sound" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# Rachel weeping for her children

Rachel lived many years before this time. This prophecy shows Rachel, who has died, weeping for her descendants.

# she refused to be comforted

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "no one could comfort her" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# because they were no more

"because the children were gone and would never return." Here "were no more" is a mild way of saying they are dead. Alternate translation: "because they were dead" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])