Then the young Antiochus wrote to Jonathan, saying: The young Antiochus may be rendered “The young King Antiochus” (Good News Bible). Wrote is better translated “wrote a letter.” The actual letter would have been composed by one of the king’s advisers, but issued in the king’s name. The actual content of the letter is very short, so Good News Bible expresses it with indirect discourse. Some translators will want to do this. Others may feel that following Revised Standard Version‘s direct discourse is more appropriate. Contemporary English Version indents the letter, which may be appropriate in some languages.

I confirm you in the high priesthood: The new regime in Antioch wanted to establish good relations with Jonathan and the Jews immediately, so the message was sent that the new king recognized Jonathan as the High Priest. As noted above Good News Bible uses indirect speech, saying “and confirmed him as High Priest.” For translators that prefer to keep the direct speech, alternative models are “I confirm that you are the High Priest” and “I will let you continue as high priest” (Contemporary English Version).

And set you over the four districts: Set you over may be rendered “let you rule over.” The four districts (Good News Bible “the four regions”) refers to the three districts named in verse 34 and one other. Some think the other district is Ekron (see 1Macc 10.89); others think it is Akrabattene (see 1Macc 5.3). However, knowing the specific districts makes little difference to translators, since they should just express the idea of four districts. The districts should not be named.

And make you one of the friends of the king: For the friends of the king as a title, see the comments on 1Macc 2.18.

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.