And agree to let them live by their laws as they did before: The Greek word translated laws refers to more than just laws; it includes traditions and customs as well. Good News Bible and New English Bible translate “laws and customs.” Contemporary English Version and New Jerusalem Bible say simply “customs,” which is better than simply laws. Before means before the decree of Antiochus~IV in 1Macc 1.41-50. An alternative model for this whole clause is “Let us allow them to live according to their own traditions as they did before.”

For it was on account of their laws which we abolished that they became angry and did all these things: These clause may be reversed by saying “After all, they became angry and did all these things [or, and started all this trouble] when we abolished those traditions [or, made those traditions illegal].”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Let us allow them to live according to their own customs as they did before. After all, they became angry and started all this trouble when we abolished those customs [or, made those customs illegal].”

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.