And removed the marks of circumcision: The Hellenizing Jews had a surgical procedure by which their circumcised penises could be made to look uncircumcised. Greek sports were often performed in the nude, and they wanted to avoid being ridiculed by the Gentiles or give offense to the Gentiles by appearing circumcised. In cultures where the practice of circumcision is unknown, translators should include a footnote explaining this custom. In a number of languages a descriptive expression such as “cutting ceremony” may be used. In any case, translators should include a footnote.

And abandoned the holy covenant: The holy covenant here is probably the covenant of Gen 17.9-14. If so, translators may reverse this clause with the previous one, saying “They abandoned the holy covenant by removing the evidence of circumcision [or, the evidence that showed that they had received circumcision].” Holy means that it is a covenant with God, so another possible model is “They abandoned the agreement their ancestors had made with Heaven [or, the One in Heaven]…” (for the necessity to avoid the mention of God or the Lord in this book).

They joined with the Gentiles may refer to intermarriage (so Good News Bible footnote), or at least to sexual activity with Gentiles. But we cannot be that confident, and a translation following Good News Bible‘s text is probably safer, such as “They started associating with Gentiles” or “They started cooperating with Gentiles [or, non-Jews].” Some think this clause refers to giving residents of Jerusalem citizenship in Antioch, but the passage on which this idea depends, 2Macc 4.9, is hard to understand. No footnote is necessary at this point, but a note similar to Good News Bible‘s could be used.

And sold themselves to do evil: Compare 2~Kgs 17.17 for this idiomatic expression. An American Translation says “and became the slaves of wrongdoing” (similarly New Jerusalem Bible). A similar model is “and made themselves slaves to evil.” A possible nonfigurative rendering is “and they devoted themselves wholeheartedly to doing what was evil [or, doing evil things/practices].”

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.