Many translations omit the Hebrew linking word And it shall come to pass. New Revised Standard Version, however, begins “And then.”

If they will diligently learn the ways of my people: See 10.2 for learn the ways of. The Hebrew repeats the verb learn to intensify it, so Revised Standard Version indicates this with diligently. The ways of my people (New Jerusalem Bible “my people’s ways”) refers to the religious practices of the people of Israel. Good News Translation has “the religion of my people” and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “the faith of my people.” In languages where there is no word for “religion,” translators can render this whole clause as “If they will learn to worship me as my people do.”

To swear by my name, ‘As the LORD lives,’: See the comment at 4.2. Here translators can say “if they learn to affirm my existence when they declare what they say is true” or “if it is me they acknowledge when they promise to do what they say.” The sentence could continue “even as in the past they taught my people to declare things true in the name of Baal.” For Baal see 2.8.

They shall be built up in the midst of my people: This contains two promises, prosperity and inclusion as a part of the people of Israel. Thus Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “then I will make them prosperous and happy and they will live among my people.” Good News Translation renders “then they will also be a part of my people and will prosper.”

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 .