Revised Standard Version begins a new paragraph at verse 58, but it is more logical to begin it here (so Contemporary English Version).

Then the army marched out and encamped to the south of Emmaus: See verse 40. Then the army marched out may be expressed as “Then Judas and his men [or, soldiers] marched out of Mizpah.” Encamped means that they set up their tents and prepared to fight. Good News Bible‘s “took up positions” describes what they did after they set up camp. The two sides were now prepared to do battle in the open field. The Jews did not have the benefit of higher ground this time, as in the battle at Beth-horon (see verses 16-24).

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Then Judas and his men marched out of Mizpah and encamped [or, set up their tents] south of the town of Emmaus.

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.