And they thought it best to tear it down: Thought it best can be accurately translated as “came up with the good idea” (Goldstein; similarly New American Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Abel). A slightly different interpretation is given in New English Bible, which has “rightly decided” (similarly New Jerusalem Bible). Either of these renderings is better than simply “decided” (Good News Bible). An alternative model for the whole clause is “and they decided that the best thing to do would be to tear it down.”

Lest it bring reproach upon them, for the Gentiles had defiled it: The Greek word for reproach is usually understood to mean “shame” (Good News Bible) or “embarrassment.” This is certainly possible, but we believe that in this case it is not a matter of shame, but of possible guilt. To let the once-defiled altar stand might incur guilt; God might hold it against them. These two clauses may be rendered “so that they would not become guilty, since the Gentiles had defiled it [or, made it unfit for worship].”

So they tore down the altar may be expressed as “They did so” or “That is what they did.”

It is possible to rearrange this verse as follows:

• Since the Gentiles had defiled it [or, made it unfit for worship], they were afraid [or, thought] that it might be wrong to continue to use it. So they decided that the best thing to do would be to tear it down. They did so….

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.