Then Numenius and his companions arrived from Rome: See 1Macc 14.24. The connector Then is better translated “Meanwhile” (Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). His companions may be expressed as “the other messengers” (Contemporary English Version). It is implied that Numenius and his fellow delegates arrived in Jerusalem, which Good News Bible and Contemporary English Version make explicit. It will be wise in most languages to add this implied information.

With letters to the kings and countries, in which the following was written: The text that follows in verses 16-21 was sent to many different recipients, those named in verses 22-24. Although there were many copies of this letter, it is more natural in English to refer to it in the singular as one letter. Good News Bible has “with the following letter addressed to various kings and countries.” There is a problem since the copy actually quoted here is specifically addressed to King Ptolemy of Egypt (verse 16). It would not be wrong to say “with the following letter, addressed to King Ptolemy of Egypt, and to other kings and countries.”

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.