Now … today: It may not be natural to say “today” since the time is obviously as he is speaking. In English we may say “Look, I’m taking your chains off now and letting you go.”

Behold: See 1.6.

Hands: Chains are usually placed about a person’s wrists (Good News Translation, New International Version) or arms, rather than about their hands. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates without mentioning the place of the chains: “I am removing your chains….”

If it seems good to you to come with me … if it seems wrong to you to come with me: This is not a question of being right or wrong, but of what Jeremiah would prefer. It may be rendered “If you like to come with me … If you do not want to come with me” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “Come with me … if you like … if you do not want to” (New International Version).

Babylon: In this context it is better to refer to the country, “Babylonia.”

I will look after you well: The meaning is “I will take care of you” (Good News Translation) or “I will take good care of you.” New Jerusalem Bible and Bible en français courant have “I shall look after you.”

See, the whole land is before you: The sense is as in Good News Translation “You have the whole country to choose from.”

Go wherever you think it good and right to go: Again, this is a matter of Jeremiah’s wishes. Good News Translation says “you may go wherever you wish” and New Jerusalem Bible “go wherever you think it best and most suitable to go.” Revised English Bible is shorter: “go wherever you think best.”

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 .