And he said to those who were building houses, or were betrothed, or were planting vineyards, or were fainthearted, that each should return to his home, according to the law: It is doubtful that under the circumstances, anyone in Judas’ band was building a house or planting a vineyard, but Judas is proceeding according to the rules for holy war in Deut 20.1-8, where each of these activities is specifically mentioned. Were betrothed refers to couples who were as good as married, but were not yet living together as husband and wife. So Contemporary English Version‘s “engaged to get married” is more accurate than Good News Bible‘s “recently been married.” Fainthearted means “afraid to fight.” Good News Bible puts the phrase according to the law at the beginning of the verse, and so does Contemporary English Version with “He [Judas] obeyed the Law of Moses by….” Many translators will find it suitable to follow this pattern.

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.