But when he, with the corroboration of his friends … : The pronouns he and his refer to Hermon, which Contemporary English Version makes explicit. The phrase with the corroboration of his friends may be more naturally placed at the end of the verse (see the models below). The friends are Hermon’s friends, not friends of the king as Contemporary English Version wrongly translates. This phrase may be rendered “Hermon’s friends assured the king that what he said was true” or “Hermon’s friends said, ‘Your Highness, Hermon is speaking the truth.’ ”

Pointed out that while it was still night may be expressed as “told the king that the night before.”

He had carried out completely the order given him may be rendered “he [Hermon] had done exactly what the king had commanded him to do” or “he insisted, ‘I did exactly what you commanded me to do.’ ” This verse is subordinate to verse 20, but many translators will find it easier to render it as a separate sentence, or even two sentences if direct speech is used.

Alternative models for this verse are:

• But Hermon told Philopator that he had done exactly what he had told him to do, and done it the night before. Hermon’s friends assured the king this was true.

• But Hermon said, “Your Majesty! Last night I did exactly what you commanded me to do.” His friends all insisted, “Hermon is telling the truth.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 3-4 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2018. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.