But certain lawless men who hated their nation went to the king and reported to him that Jonathan was besieging the citadel: Compare 1Macc 10.61. The opponents of the Maccabees were still strong, and still trying to undermine their leadership. Just as the coming of the new king gave Jonathan a chance to test the king’s strength, it gave Jonathan’s opponents an opportunity to find out how the king would deal with the tension within the Jewish community. For lawless men, see the comments on 1Macc 1.11. Good News Bible renders who hated their nation as “who hated their own nation.” This translation not only ensures that the reader will know which nation they hated, but also underscores their treachery.

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.