The Jews also made engines of war to match theirs: The Jews (also Contemporary English Version) is literally “they.” Good News Bible says “The defenders,” which is also possible. An alternative model for this clause is “The Jews [or, The defenders] built the same kinds of weapons as their enemies.”

And fought for many days: Good News Bible‘s model is helpful here.

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.