Requite is a somewhat high-level term for most English readers; “repay” (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible) or “pay back” is much simpler. The same Hebrew verb appears in verses 6 (Revised Standard Version “rendering”) and 56 of this chapter, as well as in 16.18 (Revised Standard Version “recompense”); 25.14 (Revised Standard Version “recompense”); 32.18; 50.29.

Both Babylon and Chaldea (see 21.4) are used of the nation “Babylonia” (Good News Translation).

Before your very eyes: Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch indicates whose eyes are meant by saying, “But now you Israelites must see with your own eyes.”

Zion: See verse 10.

Says the LORD (see 1.8) at the end of the verse indicates that the LORD is the speaker. And so Good News Translation, together with Bible en français courant, indicates at the start of the verse who is speaking.

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 .