In Hebrew verse 26 is a continuation of the sentence begun in verse 25. In most languages, however, reading will be easier if this verse is made into a separate sentence. See the discussion at verse 25. Restructuring the discourse in this way also has the effect of making verse 26 positive (Good News Translation “I will maintain” and “I will choose”) rather than the negative I will reject and will not choose of the text.

Descendants: It is interesting that the Hebrew word “seed” (occurring three times in this verse) is twice rendered descendants and once seed by Revised Standard Version. It would have been more natural for English speakers to use “descendants” in all three instances.

I will restore their fortunes, and will have mercy upon them: See verses 7, 11 for restore their fortunes; the first occurrence of this phrase is in 29.14. For have mercy, see 6.23. Good News Translation puts these last two actions, restore and have mercy, in a more logical order: “be merciful … make them prosperous.”

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 .