en_tn_condensed/jer/21/08.md

# this people

"the people of Jerusalem"

# I am about to place before you the way of life and the way of death

Yahweh is offering the people of Jerusalem a choice that will determine whether they live or die.

# by the sword, famine, and plague

Death by the sword refers to death in battle. AT: "in battle and by famine and plague" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# falling on his knees before

This symbolic act represents surrender. AT: "surrendering to" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

# closed in against you

"attacked you from all sides"

# He will escape with his life

The one who surrenders to the Babylonians will escape with his life, even though he will lose all his possessions.

# I have set my face against this city

This idiom means he "firmly decided." AT: "I have made up my mind to oppose this city" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

# have set my face against

"am staring angrily at"

# this is Yahweh's declaration

Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in [Jeremiah 1:8](../01/07.md). AT: "this is what Yahweh has declared" or "this is what I, Yahweh, have declared" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

# It has been given

This can be stated in active form. AT: "I have given it" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# into the hand of the king

Here "hand" represents the power of the king to destroy the city. AT: "into the power of the king" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])