Do not fear the words of a sinner: The specific sinner in mind is King Antiochus (compare verse 48); see the description of his death in 2Macc 9.11-29. When words cause fear, it is because they are threats, so Good News Bible renders this clause as “Don’t be afraid of the threats of a wicked man.” Other possible models are “Don’t be afraid of the sinful king’s threats” and “Don’t let the threats [or, threatening words] of the sinful King Antiochus frighten you.”

For his splendor will turn into dung and worms: Dung and worms refers to a dead body decaying. The translator’s aim is to convey the contrast between the splendor or magnificence of a king when he is alive and ruling and his rotting corpse when he is dead. Good News Bible‘s model is a good one, but we may also say “because all of his splendor will one day be reduced to worms feeding on his decaying corpse.”

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.