LORD of hosts: See 2.19; the phrase is used three times in chapter 19 (verses 3, 11, 15).

Who triest the righteous: See 6.27, where the same verb is translated “assay” by Revised Standard Version. As in Good News Translation, “test” is the best way to translate it here. The Hebrew expression that Revised Standard Version renders triest the righteous, that is, “test the righteous people,” can just as well mean “test [people] justly,” as in Good News Translation.

Heart and mind is literally “kidneys and heart” (see 11.20). Here the text says that the LORD seest the heart and the mind, which probably means the LORD knows what people are thinking and desiring, although some translators have rendered “probe their thoughts and desires” or “examine…,” which is certainly also possible.

Let me see … my cause: See 11.20.

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 .