And they decreed that this day should be celebrated each year on the thirteenth day of Adar: Nicanor Day, as it was called, was observed as an annual Jewish holiday in ancient times. It is no longer observed. For the thirteenth day of Adar, see the comments on verse 43. Good News Bible‘s model for this verse is quite complex. Easier models are “and decreed that the Jews should celebrate on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar each year” and “and they decided that the Jews….” Contemporary English Version provides a helpful model for verses 48-49 by combining them, saying “The Jews held a joyful celebration and decided to celebrate on the thirteenth day of Adar each year.”

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.