From the day when the Lord brought our fathers out of the land of Egypt until today: Compare the similar wording at Jer 7.25. The historical reference, of course, is to the Exodus, which regularly figures in biblical recitations of history (for example, Neh 9.9-11; Psa 105.26-38). Revised Standard Version follows the Greek text in identifying Egypt as the land of Egypt. Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version consider the phrase land of unnecessary and omit it.

We have been disobedient to the Lord our God: The idea here is that ever since Israel became a nation, the people have been disobedient to the Lord, who gave them nationhood. “We have continued to be unfaithful to him” (Good News Translation; similarly Contemporary English Version) grasps both the historical reference and the grammatical force of the Greek.

We have been negligent, in not heeding his voice: “We have not hesitated to disobey him” (Good News Translation) comes closer to the meaning here. The Greek verb translated have been negligent or “have not hesitated” shows clearly the indifference of the people. Other possible models are “we have lightly dismissed his commands” and “we have not taken his commands seriously.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Shorter Books of the Deuterocanon. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2006. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.