And Judas said: After Judas and his men arrived south of Emmaus and set up their tents, he addressed them. This clause may be rendered “There Judas said to his men [or, soldiers].”

Gird yourselves and be valiant: Gird yourselves is an old idiom for “Prepare for battle.” We may also say “Get your weapons ready [to fight].” Be valiant may be rendered “Be courageous!”

Be ready early in the morning to fight with these Gentiles who have assembled against us to destroy us and our sanctuary: Translators may want to consider having these words begin Judas’ talk to his men by rendering the whole verse as follows:

• There Judas said to his men, “These Gentiles have come together against us to destroy us and our Temple. Early tomorrow morning we must fight them. So prepare to fight [or, get your weapons ready to fight]. We must be courageous.

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.