Demetrius the king sent him a favorable reply to this request, and wrote him a letter as follows: The idea favorable does not appear in the Greek text. Good News Bible properly omits it. Although the Greek is quite wordy for this verse, Good News Bible‘s short sentence is all that is needed to introduce Demetrius’ letter.

Demetrius’ letter follows in verses 36-40. As in previous letters (for example, 1Macc 8.23-32 and 10.25-45), translators may wish to indent it (so Good News Bible).

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.