For indicates a contrast with the previous verse. In many languages, “But” would be better.

Who among them has stood…? is the equivalent of a strong negative: “none of them has [ever] stood….” Them refers to the prophets, which Good News Translation makes clear.

In the council of the LORD: The ancient Israelites believed in a heavenly council presided over by the LORD. Jeremiah felt that a true prophet was actually admitted to these meetings, where he received the LORD’s message. It is possible to say “None of them has ever attended the council meeting in heaven with the LORD,” or even “None of these prophets has ever met with the LORD to learn his thinking.” However, Good News Translation “… has ever known the LORD’s secret thoughts” conveys the message clearly.

To perceive and to hear his word … given heed to his word and listened: It would seem more natural to reverse the order of the verbs in each of the two lines, as in Good News Translation “heard or understood his message … listened or paid attention to what he said.”

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 .