The question (Who would not fear…?) assumes the answer that there is no one who would not fear the LORD. Thus we may substitute a statement: “You are the King of all nations, and there is no one who would not fear you.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates fear as “fear and honor,” which brings out a very important aspect of the verb.

For this is thy due can be “For this is what you deserve.”

The wise ones most likely refers back to the craftsmen who constructed the powerless, wooden idols of verses 3-5. Thus the idea is “among all those skilled [or, clever] people.”

And in all their kingdoms is translated “and all their royalty” by Revised English Bible. This is a valid interpretation, and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch renders the last three lines as follows: “… among all the wise men and kings of the world there is none equal to you.” Another possibility is “… among all those skilled people and among all the kings of the nations there is none who can compare with you.”

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 .