What follows in this verse is a response to the question asked by those passing by the Temple at the end of the previous verse. This response corresponds to what Moses had said people from other nations would say (Deut 29.25-28). If the question in verse 21 is translated as indirect discourse, the embedded quotation in this verse might also be made indirect.

Then they will say: The pronoun they refers to other people who respond to the question of those who pass by the Temple. Almost all French versions use the indefinite “one” as the subject. The verb say may be better rendered “answer” in the context of this dialogue. For this whole clause Good News Translation, New International Version, and New Century Version have “People will answer,” while Revised English Bible says “The answer will be.”

Because they forsook the LORD the God of their fathers who brought them out of the land of Egypt …: God punished his people and abandoned the Temple because of their infidelity to him. Because is literally “Upon which.” In some languages it will be necessary to supply the information implied by the use of this construction; for example, New Century Version begins with “This happened because….” The pronouns they, their and them refer to the people of Israel, and if there is any doubt about the referent, it may be necessary in some languages to make it explicit. Fathers in this context clearly refers to “ancestors” (Good News Translation).

And laid hold on other gods: The Hebrew verb rendered laid hold on is a rather strong one, meaning “to grasp” or “to seize.” Here the verb is used in the sense of “embraced” (New International Version) or “clung to” (Revised English Bible) other gods. The people of Israel may have literally taken hold of idols, but the verb should be understood more figuratively here in the sense of “gave their allegiance to” (Good News Translation) or simply “decided to follow” (New Century Version).

And worshiped them and served them: See the comments on verse 19. Revised English Bible says “bowing down before them and serving them,” and Good News Translation has simply “and worshiped them.”

Therefore he has brought all this evil upon them: Therefore introduces the final conclusion with regard to the disobedience of the people of Israel. Both New International Version and Revised English Bible render it “that is why.” This evil refers to the destruction of the Temple and the exile from the land. The Hebrew noun rendered evil is perhaps better translated “adversity” (NASB), “disaster” (New International Version), or “misfortune” (Revised English Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

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 .