And they brought to the king this accusation against the people may be rendered “They made accusations [or, brought charges] against the other Jews. Here is what they told the king.”

Judas and his brothers have destroyed all your friends: See 1Macc 2.44; 3.8. Destroyed may be rendered “killed” (Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). In this context all your friends refers to the king’s supporters, not to his high officials (compare 1Macc 2.18), so Good News Bible has “everybody who supported you,” and Contemporary English Version says “all of your trusted friends.”

And have driven us out of our land: Our land here refers to Judea.

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.