In this verse Azariah speaks to God’s people regarding their future, after having talked about their past in verses 3-6.

But you, take courage!: The common Hebrew conjunction rendered But introduces a command in response to the difficult circumstances. This conjunction may also be translated “So” (Contemporary English Version). The pronoun for you is plural in Hebrew and refers to “Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin” (verse 2). New Living Translation attempts to make the plural pronoun more explicit by translating “you men of Judah.” The exhortation to take courage is common in the Bible (see the comments on 1 Chr 22.13, where is it rendered “Be strong”). It may be translated negatively in some languages as “don’t be discouraged.”

Do not let your hands be weak is literally “do not let your [plural] hands drop” (compare Zeph 3.16, where the same idiom occurs). The meaning of this figurative expression is “do not give up” (New International Version) or “do not be disheartened” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

For your work shall be rewarded: The Hebrew conjunction rendered for introduces why Asa and his people should be strong and not be discouraged. New Century Version uses the connector “because.” Your work shall be rewarded is literally “there [is] payment for your [plural] work” (see Jer 31.16, where almost the same clause occurs). This passive expression will have to be made active in some languages. The implied agent is probably God, so this may be made explicit by saying “the LORD will reward you for your work.” But the passive may also be avoided by saying “you will receive a reward for your work” or “you will get a reward for your good work” (New Century Version). In this context your work refers to the religious reforms mentioned in verses 8-18.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .