A number of commentators believe that verses 19-22 should follow chapter 43 verses 1-3. The reason for this is that 43.1-3 tells how Jeremiah’s message is rejected, while 42.19-22 is a statement that it has already been rejected. Of the major translations, however, only Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch moves the verses around: 43.1-3 is placed between 42.19a and 19b, and then 43.4 follows 42.22.

Remnant: See verse 2 and 6.9.

In the previous verse the LORD has been the speaker, but now Jeremiah speaks directly with a short quote from the LORD (Do not go to Egypt). Good News Translation has made this clear by beginning the verse with “Then I continued” (similarly Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Bible en français courant). To clarify the speaker throughout this verse, translators can use a construction such as:

• Jeremiah continued, “The LORD has told you people who are left not to go to Egypt. So you should know very clearly now that I am warning you….”

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 .