complete verse (Jeremiah 44:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Jeremiah 44:5:

  • Kupsabiny: “But they refused to hear me or pay attention. They did not accept to discard their sins (of) burning those things that smell sweet to the idols.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But they never listened or obeyed the prophets. They did- not -turn-away from their wickedness or stop burning incense to other gods.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But my people would not pay any attention to what I said to them. They would not turn away from their wicked behavior, or stop burning incense to worship/honor other gods.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Jeremiah 44:5

But they: In order to maintain continuity, Good News Translation retains the second person form “you” (so also Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch).

Incline their ear: See 7.24.

Turn from their wickedness; that is, “give up the bad things they were doing” or “abandon their wicked behavior.” See 23.14.

Wickedness is explained by burn … incense to other gods, which is the basis for Good News Translation “You would not give up your evil practice of sacrificing to other gods.”

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 .