Then renders the common Hebrew conjunction. Here it introduces the consequences of the potential disobedience described in the previous verse. New Century Version makes this clear by beginning the verse with “If you do….”

I will pluck you up from the land which I have given you: Instead of the pronoun you, the Masoretic Text says “them” (so also New International Version, Moffatt). Revised Standard Version has followed the Septuagint (so also Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). The pronoun “them” refers to the Israelites, but it is more natural in English to use the pronoun you in this context since they are being addressed. I will pluck you up from the land is a figurative way of saying “I will remove you from the land” (Good News Translation) or “I will take the Israelites out of my land” (New Century Version). The land, which refers to the Promised Land, is literally “my ground” or “my land” (New International Version, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). Nouvelle version Segond révisée has “my territory.” But the possessive pronoun “my” is redundant since this phrase is followed by which I have given you.

And this house, which I have consecrated for my name: See the comments on verse 16. New Living Translation says “this Temple that I have made holy to honor my name.”

I will cast out of my sight is literally “I will throw away from my face.” This same expression occurs in Jer 15.1, where it is translated by Revised Standard Version as “Send them [the Israelites] out of my sight.” It is used figuratively here to mean that God will want nothing more to do with the Temple. Cast out of my sight has also been translated “abandon” (Good News Translation), “reject” (New Living Translation, Revised English Bible), and “disown” (New Jerusalem Bible).

And will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples: The pronoun it refers to the Temple. The Hebrew term for proverb is the same one used in the book of Proverbs, where it refers to a wise saying that is often repeated. Here it means “mocking taunt.” The Hebrew word rendered byword refers to a taunt or a derisive saying used to ridicule or make fun of others. The two terms taken together in this context may be rendered “story to mock and ridicule” or “something that people make fun of and laugh about.” All peoples refers to all other nations, not including the Israelites. Moffatt says “all nations.” Others may prefer to say “all non-Israelite peoples.” For this whole clause Contemporary English Version has “so that people everywhere will think it is only a joke and will make fun of it.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .