But you, unholy wretch, you most defiled of all men: It will be helpful to introduce the king’s name again here by saying “But you, King Antiochus, are….” The boy is heaping insults on the king, saying that he is an unholy wretch, the very opposite of God, and the most defiled person alive—the most unclean and disgusting. Unholy wretch translates one word. The fairly literal translation in Revised Standard Version is highly unnatural in English, and a truly dynamic translation would probably use profanity or even obscenity. Yet the original is not profane or obscene, and a translation should not be. Good News Bible rewords the beginning of this verse drastically, making a statement of it, in an attempt to make it sound at least a little more natural. This may be difficult, but translators will have to find what works in their own situation. Contemporary English Version is also helpful with “King Antiochus, you’re the most disgusting and godless creature that ever lived.” Another possible model is “But not you, King Antiochus! You are the foulest and filthiest man alive!”

Do not be elated in vain and puffed up by uncertain hopes: Elated in vain means to be proud of one’s self for no reason. Puffed up means the same as elated. We may render do not be elated in vain or puffed up as “Stop being proud of yourself for no reason” or “You have no reason to be proud of yourself.” Uncertain hopes is literally “unclear hopes,” which may be translated “false hopes” (Goldstein) or “it isn’t clear what you hope to accomplish.”

When you raise your hand against the children of heaven: Raise your hand against means to treat someone violently. The children of heaven (literally “the heavenly children”) involves a textual problem. Some Greek manuscripts have “his servants,” which is followed by New English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Abel, and Tedesche. We favor the text adopted by Revised Standard Version, New American Bible and Goldstein meaning “God’s children.” (Good News Bible‘s “God’s people” could translate either text.) The problem may have arisen because of an ambiguity. In the phrase “the heavenly children,” the Greek word for “children” can also mean “servants” (it is not the same word used in the other text). The author may well intend both meanings here, saying that those the king is torturing to death are God’s servants (verse 33), but they are described at the same time as being young. Perhaps the author’s meaning can be expressed by saying “God’s young servants.” In this context “heavenly” is a way of referring to God (see verse 11).

Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• You have no reason to be proud of yourself. It isn’t [even] clear what you hope to accomplish by this violence against [or, by torturing] God’s young servants.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.