But the high places were not removed: The conjunction But may be out of place here if the contrast has already been marked near the end of the previous verse as Good News Translation has done with “instead.” It will, however, be important to ensure that contrast is marked at some point since the existence of such places of worship stand in sharp contrast with faithfulness to Yahweh.

For high places, see the comments at 1 Kgs 3.2 and 2 Kgs 12.3.

The passive verbal expression were not removed has been replaced by an active form in Good News Translation. Such a model may prove helpful to other languages where the passive form is either nonexistent or unnatural in this context. But in some cases translators may prefer to use a causative verb form conveying the idea that Amaziah did not cause his agents to tear down the local shrines. Compare 2 Kgs 15.35.

Sacrificed and burned incense: See the comments at 1 Kgs 3.3 and 2 Kgs 12.3.

The second reference to the high places in this verse may be better translated by a pronoun (for example, “them”) or by an adverb (Good News Translation “there”).

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 .