So the land of Judah had rest for a few days: A few days here is not to be taken literally; it means “for a little while” (Good News Bible). Goldstein translates his verse as “There followed a brief period of peace for the land of Judah.” We could also say “After that, the land of Judea [or, the people of Judea] enjoyed a brief time of peace.”

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.