Translators should begin a new paragraph at this point (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Bible).
Then Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemy king of Egypt with the following message: Ptolemy is the same Ptolemy~VI who was mentioned in 1Macc 1.18. Good News Bible and Contemporary English Version identify him here as “Ptolemy the Sixth,” but it is probably not necessary since he is not a major character. His death is recorded in 1Macc 11.18. His successor is mentioned in 1Macc 15.16.
An alternative model for this verse is:
• After this King Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemy the Sixth of Egypt with a letter. It said….
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.
