The sentence that begins at the start of this verse continues through the end of the following verse in Revised Standard Version. This structure is much too long and complex to be easily understood. For this reason many translators will want to break it down into two or more shorter sentences in order to make the meaning more understandable (so Good News Translation).

But to the king of Judah …: The common Hebrew conjunction rendered But marks the contrast between the LORD’s approach to King Josiah and his treatment of the other people of Judah and Israel.

Who sent you to inquire of the LORD: See verse 21.

Thus shall you say to him: This quote frame introduces what Huldah wants Josiah’s delegation to say to him.

Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: See verse 23. In many languages this embedded quotation and the previous clause may be better expressed as “The LORD, the God of Israel, wants you to say this to King Josiah.”

Regarding the words which you have heard is literally “the words which you have heard.” Revised Standard Version has added the word Regarding as the sense seems to require. Some interpreters consider the structure here to be too difficult to explain. They assume that the writer broke off his sentence at the end of the verse without finishing his thought. New Jerusalem Bible and Osty-Trinquet, for example, end the verse with three dots (an ellipsis), saying “The words you have heard….” Following the Vulgate, La Bible Pléiade adds “in the book” in square brackets, saying “You have heard the words that are [in the book].”

Words is translated “threats” in New American Bible because the words of judgment communicated through the book of the Law were perceived as warnings. However, most versions leave this implicit, translating words literally. The context demonstrates that what is meant by you have heard is more than mere passive hearing. Attentive and sympathetic listening is intended. Here and in the following verse, the Hebrew pronouns rendered you and “your” are singular, referring to King Josiah.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .