The text of Alexander’s letter to Ptolemy is given in verses 52-54. Translators should treat this letter as they have treated others (see, for example, 1Macc 8.23-32; 10.18-20; 10.25-45). As before, Good News Bible indents the letter.

Since I have returned to my kingdom and have taken my seat on the throne of my fathers, and established my rule: This sentence is interrupted by a long digression dealing with Demetrius that begins in the middle of this verse and continues through verse 53 (set off by long dashes in Revised Standard Version). Verse 54 continues the thought of this introductory dependent clause; the main clause of the sentence is “let us establish friendship with one another.” The translator’s problem is to arrange all this material in a clear and logical sequence, avoiding a distracting digression. Good News Bible does this in a satisfactory way, so we recommend it. However, another option is to combine verses 52 and 53 (see the model at the end of the discussion on verse 53).

For I crushed Demetrius and gained control of our country: These clauses begin the digression that continues through the next verse. They may be expressed as “I had to crush Demetrius in order to control” or “But before I could take control, I had to do away with Demetrius” (Contemporary English Version).

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.