So Sophonias the priest read this letter, in the hearing of Jeremias the prophet.

And Zephaniah the priest read This letter in the ears of the prophet Jeremiah.

And Zephaniah the priest readeth this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.

And Zephaniah the priest made clear to Jeremiah the prophet what was said in the letter, reading it to him.

Thus, Zephaniah, the priest, read this letter, in the hearing of Jeremiah the prophet.

Legerat autem Zephania epistolam hanc in auribus Jeremiae prophetae.

And Zephaniah the priest read this letter,.... Of Shemaiah's to him, and the other priests:
in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet: whether out of good will, to let him know who were his enemies abroad; or out of ill will, to stir up the people against him; or in pretence of proceeding equitably with him; not taking him up, and punishing him before he brought the accusation and charge against him; and acquainted him who were his accusers, and what evidence there was, and heard what he had to say in his own defence whether one or the other is uncertain; however, by this means Jeremiah came to the knowledge of Shemaiah's letter.

Zephaniah . . . read . . . in the ears of Jeremiah--He seems to have been less prejudiced against Jeremiah than the others; hence he reads the charge to the prophet, that he should not be condemned without a hearing. This accords with Shemaiah's imputation against Zephaniah for want of zeal against Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:26-27). Hence the latter was chosen by King Zedekiah as one of the deputation to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 21:1; Jeremiah 37:3).

Zephaniah read aloud to Jeremiah the letter he had received from Babylon. With what design, we are not told; probably simply to inform him of the proceedings of the pseudo-prophets in Babylon. If we may judge by Jeremiah 21:1 and Jeremiah 37:3, Zephaniah seems to have been friendly to Jeremiah.