Wipe away our sins and disperse our errors: These two clauses have exactly the same meaning, and may be combined as “Please forgive our sins” or “Please forgive us for sinning against you.”

And reveal your mercy at this hour: Reveal your mercy may be rendered “be merciful to us.” At this hour points to the immediate occasion. Simon wants God to stop Philopator from carrying out his plan “right now” (Contemporary English Version).

Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• Please forgive our sins against you. Be merciful to us at this moment [or, right now].

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.