We recommend that translators indent the letter in verses 30-37 as in other passages, such as 1Macc 8.23-32 and 10.25-45

King Demetrius to Jonathan his brother and to the nation of the Jews, greeting: For brother see the comments on 1Macc 10.18. Good News Bible is taking brother here to mean “fellow-king,” so it renders Jonathan his brother as “King Jonathan.” Contemporary English Version is better with “his good friend Jonathan.”

When Alexander wrote his letter, he addressed it to Jonathan and ignored the Jewish nation (1Macc 10.18). When Demetrius~I wrote his letter, he addressed it to the Jewish people and ignored Jonathan (1Macc 10.25). Demetrius~II was careful to address both. This is a fine point that Jonathan could have insisted on during the negotiations.

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.