As in much of Jeremiah, the text has the singular this people, whereas “these people” will be more natural in many languages. The Hebrew text includes the identifier “Jerusalem” after this people. However, it is absent from some manuscripts. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project proposes that it be retained, as in “these people of Jerusalem.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch simply has “Jerusalem.”

Turned away in perpetual backsliding means “turn away … without ever turning back” (Good News Translation). The noun translated backsliding is first used in 2.19, where it is rendered “apostasy.” In this context it refers to turning from the LORD: “from me” (Good News Translation).

The noun rendered deceit occurs elsewhere in the Old Testament only in Jer 14.14; 23.26; Zeph 3.13; Psa 119.118 (Revised Standard Version “cunning”). Most translations are literal, though Revised English Bible has “treachery,” while New Jerusalem Bible and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible prefer “illusion.” Following this last understanding, translators can have “they continue to trust in what is a deception” or even “they continue to deceive themselves.” In the context the reference may be to “false gods” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch; similarly Luther 1984) or “idols” (Good News Translation), as in “they continue to worship false gods.”

Refuse to return may need to be further qualified: “refuse to return to me” (Good News Translation) or “refuse to turn back to me” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch).

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 .