Antiochus attempts to consolidate his power by dissolving the distinctive cultures of the peoples he rules. Of course the measure was aimed specifically at the Jews, whose unique religion set them apart from everyone else, and whose religious law constituted a nuisance for the kingdom’s administration.

Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom may be rendered “Then King Antiochus issued a decree that all nations in his empire” (similarly Good News Bible) or “… enacted a law requiring every person in his empire.”

That all should be one people, and that each should give up his customs: These two clauses say practically the same thing, so verses 41-42 may be combined and translated as follows:

• Antiochus now enacted [or, made] a law requiring every person in his empire to follow the same customs.

Contemporary English Version also combines the two verses and restructures them as follows:

• Antiochus wanted everyone in his kingdom to follow the same customs. So he made a law that said, “You must give up the traditions of your ancestors.”

We combine these two verses because they are so short and can easily be translated in one sentence. It may not be necessary to do so in translation. Good News Bible has reversed the order of the last two clauses, making it necessary to combine the two verses. It also includes verse 43 in the combination because it is not following the verse order in Revised Standard Version; the first clause of verse 43 in Revised Standard Version is part of verse 42 in most versions and in the Greek texts. Good News Bible‘s arrangement of material works well, and translators who wish to follow it should combine verses 41-43. We offer a somewhat simpler alternative below.

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.