The LORD’s reply, which is begun in this verse, opens with the LORD speaking about himself: Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Most translations of the words all flesh are literal, though Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch have “all mankind” and New Jerusalem Bible has “all humanity,” since in the Old Testament flesh is often used to signify mortal beings in contrast to God.

Is anything too hard for me?: The answer to this rhetorical question is obviously “No,” so Good News Translation shifts to an emphatic statement, “Nothing is too difficult for me.” The LORD’s words repeat what is said in verse 17 (“Nothing is too hard for me”), and at the same time anticipate his assurance of the promised restoration (verses 36-44).

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 .