1 tn The present translation understands כִּי (ki) in an emphatic or asseverative sense (“Certainly”). Other translation have “indeed” (NASB), “when” (NRSV), “so” (NEB), or leave the word untranslated (NIV).
2 tn Heb “the good way in which they should walk.”
3 tn Or “for an inheritance.”
4 tn The words “their sin” are not in the Hebrew text, but are supplied for clarification.
5 tn Heb “and act and give to each one according to all his ways because you know his heart.” In the Hebrew text vv. 28-30a actually contain one lengthy conditional sentence, which the translation has divided up for stylistic reasons.
6 tn Heb “Indeed you know, you alone, the heart of all the sons of mankind.”
7 tn Heb “over whom my name is called.” The Hebrew idiom “call the name over” indicates ownership. See 2 Sam 12:28.
8 tn Heb “seek my face,” where “my face” is figurative for God’s presence and acceptance.
9 tn Heb “and turn from their sinful ways.”
10 tn Heb “hear.”
11 sn Here the phrase heal their land means restore the damage done by the drought, locusts and plague mentioned in v. 13.
12 sn This may refer to child sacrifice, though some interpret it as a less drastic cultic practice (NEB “burnt his sons in the fire”; NASB “burned his sons in the fire”; NIV “sacrificed his sons in the fire”; NRSV “made his sons pass through fire”). For discussion see M. Cogan and H. Tadmor, II Kings (AB), 266-67.
13 tn Heb “like the abominable practices of the nations.”