But with their friends and those who rely on them they have kept friendship: Compare verse 1. Good News Bible is good here, but other possible models are “But they have been loyal to their allies and those who relied on them for protection” and “But friendly nations or nations that relied on the Romans for protection could always depend on them [or, their loyalty].”

They have subdued kings far and near may be expressed as “They defeated kings near Rome and at great distances from Rome.”

And as many as have heard of their fame have feared them may be rendered “The people of any nation that knew about all the things they had done were afraid of them.”

Translators will find that this verse will fit better in its immediate context if it is reordered as follows:

• The people of any nation that knew about all the things they had done [or, their reputation] were afraid of them. The Romans defeated kings near Rome and at great distances from Rome. But friendly nations or nations that relied on them for protection could always depend on the Romans.

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.