Now that Jerusalem has been told in verses 30-35 that the fall of Babylon is imminent, she is told in this next subsection (verses 36-37) to be on the lookout. Her children will soon be returning.

Look toward the east, O Jerusalem: Babylon is to the east of Jerusalem. When the exiles return, they will be traveling westward, and Jerusalem must be looking eastward to watch for them.

The joy that is coming to you from God is, of course, the joy to be felt when Jerusalem first catches sight of the returning exiles (see the similar clause in verse 22). In many languages it will be unnatural to talk about joy coming from someone. Contemporary English Version recognizes this problem and has combined verses 36 and 37 in order to express that Jerusalem (the people of the city) is being exhorted to “be glad” when she sees her children returning home: “Jerusalem, look toward the east and be glad, because God is bringing your children home….”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Shorter Books of the Deuterocanon. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2006. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.