And again a strong army of ungodly men went up with him to help him: The word again renders a Greek verb that can be translated here as “He took up the fight” La Bible Pléiade. Good News Bible renders it as “he began a new campaign against Judas.” The translator’s problem here is that it must not appear that Seron has already fought Judas, and is now doing it again, which is how Good News Bible can be read. A better model is “he began a campaign of his own against Judas.” However, in some languages “began a campaign” will be difficult to translate. In such cases the first half of this verse may be rendered “Then Seron led a large group of godless soldiers [from Syria] who were eager to help him.” New English Bible and Goldstein take ungodly men to refer to the renegade Jews, but since they fight the sons of Israel, the author is probably referring to Gentiles. The Greek verb rendered went up does not indicate direction here, so it may be translated simply “went.”

To take vengeance on may be rendered “to punish” or even “to crush.”

The sons of Israel are the Jewish men fighting with Judas.

Alternative models for this verse are:

• So Seron began a campaign of his own against Judas, and a strong force of godless men joined him to help take vengeance on [or, to help crush] the men of Israel.

• Then Seron led a large group of godless soldiers from Syria who were eager to help him punish Judas’ soldiers.

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.