Here again Good News Translation finds that by beginning a new sentence the passage is easier to follow.

Signs and wonders: These two similar terms appear together frequently in the Old Testament. Depending upon the context, the terms may refer to miracles that confirm, warn, cause fear, or predict. Most English translations are similar to Revised Standard Version, though Good News Translation uses “miracles” in place of signs and Revised English Bible uses “portents” in place of wonders. Moffatt has “signal deeds of awe.” It may be quite natural to tie these directly to the reason for them, which is expressed at the end of the verse (hast made thee a name): “great acts that make people everywhere to know about you [or, to know how great you are].”

Mankind is from the Hebrew noun rendered “men” in verse 19. “People everywhere” and “all people” are good renderings. Good News Translation has “all the other nations.”

Made thee a name: Good News Translation has “so that you are now known” and Revised English Bible “[you] have won for yourself renown.” The meaning is that the LORD has become famous for the things that he has done.

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 .