In verses 8-9 Jeremiah is not affirming that the sole message of a legitimate prophet is one of doom. However, he is indicating that in general the message of earlier prophets included threats of punishment. Deut 18.21-22 (alluded to here) probably is intended to serve as the rule for distinguishing between true and false prophets.

For peace refer to “it shall be well with you” in 4.10.

There are different ways translators can render this verse. They can say something like one of the following:

• As for the prophet who says that the LORD is sending peace, only when peace really happens can people know that the prophet truly was sent by the LORD [or, that the LORD really did send that prophet].

• But if someone says the LORD has given him the message to announce that there will be peace, you can know that the LORD truly sent that person only when what he says comes true.

In Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch the verse is rendered:

• But when a prophet predicts blessing and victory, one must wait to see if his words come true. Then it will be proven that he had actually spoken at the Lord’s command.

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 .