Then the people of Gaza pleaded with Jonathan may be rendered “Then the people of Gaza begged Jonathan not to destroy their town” (similarly Contemporary English Version).

And he made peace with them is literally “and he gave them the right hand” (see the comments on verse 50 and 1Macc 6.58). Jonathan did not have to “arrange” a truce as Good News Bible translates. He was the commanding officer; he simply declared a truce.

And took the sons of their rulers as hostages and sent them to Jerusalem: Compare 1Macc 9.53. For hostages see the comments on 1Macc 1.10. Jonathan did not send the hostages to King Antiochus and Trypho at Antioch, but sent them to Jerusalem, his own seat of power.

And he passed through the country as far as Damascus: And is better rendered “After that” (Good News Bible). The city of Damascus lay inland, about 125 kilometers (80 miles) northeast of the Ladder of Tyre mentioned in verse 59. This was probably as far north as Jonathan felt it prudent to move. In traveling from Gaza to Damascus he had certainly covered the territory from far south to far north. For this clause we may say “After that Jonathan led his soldiers as far north as Damascus.”

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.