And they all together praised the merciful God may be translated “Immediately all of them together thanked God for his mercy” (Good News Bible) or “Then together they praised God for being kind to them.”

And were strengthened in heart: Judas’ men were already eager for the fight, but after seeing this vision, they were even more encouraged. Good News Bible renders this clause well with “he made them brave.”

Ready to assail not only men but the wildest beasts or walls of iron: This clause uses hyperbole. They were so ready to fight their enemies that they would have even attacked the most wild animals and cities with iron walls around them.

Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• Then all together the soldiers praised God for his mercy. They were so confident now that they were not only ready to fight enemy soldiers, they were also ready to fight the most wild animals. They would have even attacked a city defended by iron walls [or, with iron walls around it].

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.