And they all, looking to heaven, blessed the Lord who had manifested himself, saying: Blessed may be rendered “praised” (Good News Bible; see the comments on 1Macc 4.30). For the Lord, who had manifested himself, see the comments on “manifestation” at verse 27. Good News Bible translates “the Lord, who had revealed his power,” which is good. We may use direct speech in the first half of this verse by saying “Then they all looked toward heaven and said, ‘Lord God, we praise you for showing us your power.’”

Blessed is he who has kept his own place undefiled: His own place is the Temple. Good News Bible shows how this short exclamation can be translated in indirect discourse. Translators who prefer direct discourse may say “We praise you for protecting your Temple from being desecrated [or, defiled].”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Then they all looked toward heaven and said, “Lord God, we praise you for showing us your power, and for protecting your Temple from being desecrated.”

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.

And he hung Nicanor’s head from the citadel, a clear and conspicuous sign to every one of the help of the Lord: Good News Bible provides a helpful model for this verse. The Greek does not specify “the wall” of the fort, but that is how the head had to be displayed, and saying so makes the picture clearer.

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.

And they all decreed by public vote never to let this day go unobserved: The Jews voted on whether they would observe the anniversary of Nicanor’s defeat as a holiday. Their vote was in favor to do so, with no objection. We may render this clause as “They all voted to remember this day officially” or “All the people agreed to make it official to remember this day.”

But to celebrate the thirteenth day of the twelfth month—which is called Adar in the Syrian language—the day before Mordecai’s day: Compare 1Macc 7.49. For the month of Adar, see the comments on 1Macc 7.43. The Syrian language is Aramaic, a language closely related to Hebrew, which was widely used in Palestine at the time of the Maccabees. Mordecai’s day refers to the Jewish holiday Purim (see Est 9.17-32). Good News Bible uses an English idiom for the day before Mordecai’s day by saying “the eve of Mordecai’s Day.”

Alternative models for this verse are:

• All the people agreed to make it official that this day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (called Adar in Aramaic), the day before Mordecai’s Day [or, Purim], would always be celebrated as a religious holiday.

• All the people voted unanimously to always celebrate this day as a religious holiday [or, festival/fiesta] on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which was called Adar in Aramaic. This was the day before Mordecai’s day [or, Purim].

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.

This, then, is how matters turned out with Nicanor may be translated “This was how Nicanor died” (Contemporary English Version).

And from that time the city has been in the possession of the Hebrews: The city is Jerusalem, which translators may want to specify (so Good News Bible). For the use of the word Hebrews, see the comments on 2Macc 7.31. Good News Bible renders the Hebrews as “the Jewish people.” We may also say “our people.” This whole clause may be rendered “From that time on our people have possessed [or, ruled] Jerusalem.”

So I too will here end my story: Good News Bible joins this short sentence to the previous one, which works well.

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.

If it is well told and to the point, that is what I myself desired: Good News Bible renders this sentence well. Other possible models are “I have tried to tell the story well and clearly” and “I have tried to write a brief, but interesting book” (Contemporary English Version).

If it is poorly done and mediocre, that was the best I could do: Good News Bible provides a fine model here.

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.

For just as it is harmful to drink wine alone, or again, to drink water alone, while wine mixed with water is sweet and delicious and enhances one’s enjoyment: The writer compares the writing of a story to making wine taste better by adding water. The logical connector For may be left implied (so Good News Bible). Wine in the ancient world was often so strong that it was mixed with water to taste better. People evidently believed that it was not healthy to drink either water or wine without mixing them. Good News Bible provides a good model for the first half of this verse. Here is another alternative: “If we drink wine by itself, it can be harmful to our health. Drinking water by itself is also harmful. But if we mix them together, they make an enjoyable drink.”

So also the style of the story delights the ears of those who read the work: Good News Bible provides a good model here also.

And here will be the end: Good News Bible expresses this ending well, saying “With this I conclude.”

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.