You have indeed smitten Edom is literally “Striking you have stricken Edom” or “Beating you have beaten Edom.” The Hebrew uses two different forms of the same verb for the sake of emphasis. The word indeed is an attempt to reflect this emphasis. But it may be best reproduced in some languages by beginning the sentence with words like “It is true that…” or “You have certainly….” The repeated verb here conveys the notion of defeat or conquest. The pronoun You is singular and refers to Amaziah as leader of the army of Judah. But in some languages it will be important to use the proper name “Amaziah” in order to ensure that the meaning is fully understood (so Good News Translation).

Your heart has lifted you up: A literal rendering of this clause is likely to be meaningless or at least unnatural in quite a number of languages. Revised English Bible uses the English idiom “it has gone to your head.” Some other modern English renderings are “you have become ambitious” (New American Bible), “you have become arrogant” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), and “you have become proud” (New Century Version).

Be content with your glory, and stay at home: In contrast with the pride and arrogance already felt, Jehoash advises Amaziah to be satisfied with the degree of fame that his exploits have brought him rather than seeking more conquests. Stay at home does not mean that he should always remain inside his own house. The idea is rather that he should not attempt to conquer other regions. So in some languages it will be better rendered “remain on your own territory” or “don’t go looking for more people to conquer.” New Jerusalem Bible provides another model with “Stay where you belong!”

For why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you?: For why is literally “and why.” Many translations simply say “Why” (Good News Translation, New International Version), which may be sufficient in other languages also. For why seems a little redundant in English. The Hebrew verb translated provoke may also be translated “stir up” or “irritate.” It is reflexive in form, so why should you provoke trouble means “why should you bring trouble on yourself.” The verb fall refers to a military defeat and subjection to other rulers. While this verb is singular, the words that follow make it clear that all of Judah is included. So in translation it will be appropriate to make the verb plural with you and Judah with you as the subject. For the last half of this question, some may say “so that you yourself and all the people of Judah that you rule over will be destroyed.” The whole question here is rhetorical, so Contemporary English Version makes it a statement: “If you cause any trouble, both you and your kingdom of Judah will be destroyed.” International Children’s Bible is similar with “Don’t ask for trouble by fighting me. If you do, you and Judah will be defeated.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .