As elsewhere, listen has the meaning of “heed” or “pay attention.”

They … every one … his …: Good News Translation uses the plural throughout with “the people … their … they….”

The clause that I may repent of the evil could be understood as purpose; that is, the people will turn from their evil in order for the LORD to change his mind about destroying them. However, most translations render it as “then I will change my mind,” which seems the best way to understand this construction. Repent of the evil (see 18.8) is rendered by Good News Translation as “change my mind about the destruction.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch is similar. For evil with the meaning of “destruction,” see 4.6. For repent in the sense of “change your mind,” see 4.28, where Revised Standard Version has “relented.”

Their evil doings (Good News Translation “their wicked deeds”) may require restructuring; for example, “the evil things they have done.” See 4.4, where Revised Standard Version has “evil of your doings.”

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 .