As most translations make clear, from the thirteenth year of Josiah means from the thirteenth year of his reign, not from when he was thirteen years old. Translators can say “from the thirteenth year of his reign” or, as in Good News Translation, “from the thirteenth year that Josiah … was king.” Josiah (see 1.2) reigned for thirty-one years (640-609 B.C.); the thirteenth year of his reign was 627 B.C.

The word of the LORD has come to me: Compare 1.4; 24.4; 25.1.

Persistently translates a verb that literally means “get up early [to do something].” However, it is frequently used idiomatically, as a comparison of translations will indicate: “again and again” (New International Version, Revised English Bible) and “untiringly” (New American Bible). Good News Translation renders I have spoken persistently to you as “I have never failed to tell you.” Notice also that Good News Translation makes it clear that spoken here refers to delivering the message that came from the LORD: “tell you what he said.”

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 .