Therefore introduces the declaration of Yahweh, which is based on the actions of the priests previously described. The transition word is omitted by Good News Translation and a few other versions, but it may be better in some languages to include a transition marker showing this relationship. La Bible Pléiade begins this verse “That is why,” and New Century Version has “So.”

The avoidance of the quotation within another quotation in Good News Translation will be a good model for other languages. In the present context this will mean changing the LORD the God of Israel declares to “I, the LORD God of Israel, declare” or something similar.

I promised: literally “to say, I said.” Regarding this emphatic construction, see “Translating the Books of Samuel,” pages 20 and following. Attempting to capture the emphatic nature of this construction, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible says “Yes, I had said,” and La Bible Pléiade says “I had indeed said.” Fox attempts to capture the emphatic construction by saying “I had said, yes, said.” Nearly all versions render this “I promised.” The rendering in New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh (“Assuredly … I intended”) seems too weak. In the commentary section Anchor Bible paraphrases the whole statement as follows: “Although I did say that your family would serve me as priests forever, I will now permit nothing of the kind!” (page 90). The past tense of the verb is especially critical here because it stands in sharp contrast with the subsequent present tense declaration of God later in this verse.

Your house and the house of your father: the promise to Aaron and his descendants had been that they would be priests forever (see Exo 29.9; Num 25.10-13). Since this promise had been made long before, Good News Translation adds the words “in the past” (so also New American Bible).

Go in and out before me: the words go in and out translate a single verb in Hebrew that literally means “walk back and forth.” But in this context it is better translated “to remain in my service” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “to serve before me” (Revised English Bible), or “to minister in my presence” (New Jerusalem Bible). See also verse 35.

But now: the contrast between what God had promised in the past and what he says that he will do now is clearly expressed in Revised English Bible: “The LORD’s word was: I promise that your house and your father’s house will serve before me for all time. But now his word is: I shall have no such thing: I shall honour those who honour me, and those who despise me will meet with contempt.”

Far be it from me: these words express indignation and rejection (see Gen 18.25; 44.7, 17), in this case God’s rejection of his earlier promise. Revised English Bible translates these words “I shall have no such thing.” See the same expression in 12.23; 20.9; 2 Sam 20.20; 23.17.

Shall be lightly esteemed: the Hebrew verb means “be small” or “be of little account.” Many versions in English render the Hebrew with a passive verb such as “shall be accursed” (New American Bible), “shall be treated with contempt” (New Revised Standard Version), or “shall be dishonored” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). In many languages it will be necessary to use a verb in the active voice and make the agent explicit. Since God is the one who will honor, it is most probable that God is the implied agent who will lightly esteem (or, as New Century Version has it, “dishonor”) those who despise him.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .