Verses 19-23 contain another of Jeremiah’s prayers to God (see 11.18-20). Since Jeremiah is now the speaker, Good News Translation introduces verse 19 with “So I prayed….” This is especially helpful for persons who must depend upon the hearing of the Scripture.

Give heed to me is more naturally expressed as “hear what I am saying” (Good News Translation) or “Listen to me” (Jerusalem Bible).

Hearken to my plea represents the Septuagint; Hebrew has “listen to my enemies,” which is what Hebrew Old Testament Text Project recommends. This interpretation is followed by most modern translations, including New Revised Standard Version “listen to what my adversaries say!” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “listen to what my enemies are saying!” Since the context clearly indicates that Jeremiah’s enemies are saying these things against him, Good News Translation has “listen to what my enemies are saying about me.” Revised English Bible is similar: “hear what my opponents are saying against me.”

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 .