Good News Translation makes Jeremiah the speaker of verses 21-22, though in Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch Jerusalem is retained. The context will support either interpretation, and it would seem better to select one or the other rather than to leave the speaker unmarked.

The shepherds (see 2.8) are the “leaders” (Good News Translation, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch) of the nation.

Are stupid translates the same verb first used in 10.8; it is used also in verse 14 as well as in 51.17.

Inquire of (Good News Translation “ask … for guidance”) translates a verb that may be used in a wide variety of meanings. Quite often it is translated “seek” (see 8.2), but “consult” seems better here.

Have … prospered translates a verb that may also mean “understand,” “have insight,” or “act with insight” (see 3.15; 9.24; 20.11; 23.5). Thus Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates have not prospered as “are without insight.” Most other translations follow the same meaning represented by Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation (“have failed”).

Their flock is scattered (Good News Translation “our people have been scattered”) is translated “and their flock is destroyed” by Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch. Bible en français courant renders this “and those over whom they have responsibility have all scattered.”

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 .