The LORD quotes a proverb (see also Ezek 18.2), which is based upon the concept of the collective unity of ancient Israel (see Num 16.25-35; Josh 7.24-25; 1Sam 22.16-19; 2Sam 3.29). Since this is a proverb, they is impersonal, and is therefore rendered by “people” in Good News Translation.

Fathers is perhaps better as an inclusive (Good News Translation “parents”). Translators must give attention to the form of a proverbial statement in their language, which may be quite different from that of the Hebrew.

Sour grapes: Although this is the rendering of most translations, “unripe” (New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible) represents more accurately the meaning of the Hebrew. If grapes are unknown, translators can use “fruit.”

Notice that Good News Translation has rendered the text’s connective (Revised Standard Version and) with “But,” which is certainly better at showing the contrast between the first and second parts of the saying.

Good News Translation expresses teeth are set on edge as “got the sour taste.” Bible en français courant has “toothache.” Translators should use whatever expression is normal in their language to describe the unpleasant feeling in the teeth that someone might get from eating something such as very sour or unripe fruit.

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 .