But correctly renders the common Hebrew conjunction. Here it marks the contrast between Josiah’s hostile action and the fact that Neco had done nothing to provoke it.

He sent envoys to him: Neco sent envoys to King Josiah. It will be necessary in many languages to translate at least one of the pronouns here by a noun in order to make the meaning clear. Most versions specify “Neco” as the subject of this clause (for example, New Revised Standard Version, NASB), while Good News Translation also makes “Josiah” the object.

What have we to do with each other…? is literally “What to me and to you…?” This is a rhetorical question that implies the answer “Nothing.” It is a way of telling the king of Judah “This matter does not concern you.”

I am not coming against you this day is literally “not against you, you [emphatic], this day.” The words I am … coming are not in the Hebrew text but this is what is to be understood from the more literal “not against you.” In this expression the Hebrew pronoun for you is emphatic. So it may be more accurate to highlight the pronoun in languages that have the means to do so. Models of this clause that express the emphasis are “You are not the one that I am coming against now” or “It is not you I am attacking at this time” (New International Version).

But against the house with which I am at war: This clause is not clear in the Masoretic Text, which is literally “but against the house of my battle.” Neco seems to say that he is not intending to fight against the kingdom of Judah but only wants to pass through Josiah’s kingdom in order to fight against the Babylonians. Bible en français courant expresses this clause and the previous one well by saying “It is not against you that I have started this campaign today, but against another enemy.”

And God has commanded me to make haste may be rendered “and God has told me to hurry” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation).

Cease opposing God, who is with me, lest he destroy you: New Living Translation says “Do not interfere with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.”

The direct discourse of the Hebrew text here, as reflected in most English versions, may be transformed into indirect discourse in those languages where this form is more natural. One possible model of the verse for doing this is:

• But Neco sent a message to Josiah asking what disagreement existed between the two kings. He maintained that it was not Josiah that he was attacking, but that he was at war with another enemy. He even claimed that God had told him to hurry. He concluded by saying that God was on his side and urged Josiah to stop opposing him unless he wanted to be destroyed.

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 .