Jeremiah 40:4

40:4 But now, Jeremiah, today I will set you free ¹  from the chains on your wrists. If you would like to come to Babylon with me, come along and I will take care of you. ²  But if you prefer not to come to Babylon with me, you are not required to do so. ³  You are free to go anywhere in the land you want to go. ⁴  Go wherever you choose.” ⁵ 

Jeremiah 51:58

51:58 This is what the Lord who rules over all ⁶  says,

“Babylon’s thick wall ⁷  will be completely demolished. ⁸ 

Her high gates will be set on fire.

The peoples strive for what does not satisfy. ⁹ 

The nations grow weary trying to get what will be destroyed.” ¹⁰ 

¹ tn The verb here is an example of the perfect of resolve where the speaker announces his intention to do something according to IBHS 488-89 §30.5.1d. The word “Jeremiah” is supplied in the translation to avoid the possible misunderstanding that the you is still plural.

² tn Or “look out for you.” See 39:12 and the translator’s note there.

³ tn Or “Stay here”; Heb “Forbear.” The imperative is used in a permissive sense; “you may forbear.” See GKC 324 §110.b and compare usage in Gen 50:6.

⁴ tn Heb “See all the land [or the whole land] is before you.” For this idiom see BDB 817 s.v. פָּנֶה II.4.a(f) and compare the usage in Gen 20:15; 47:6.

⁵ tn Heb “Unto the good and the right in your eyes to go, go there.”

⁶ sn See the note at Jer 2:19.

⁷ tn The text has the plural “walls,” but many Hebrew mss read the singular “wall,” which is also supported by the ancient Greek version. The modifying adjective “thick” is singular as well.

⁸ tn The infinitive absolute emphasizes the following finite verb. Another option is to translate, “will certainly be demolished.”

⁹ tn Heb “for what is empty.”

¹⁰ tn Heb “and the nations for fire, and they grow weary.”