Then he took the Jews of Galilee and Arbatta: The connector Then is needed because this is the next action that Simon took after he defeated the Gentiles. According to the Revised Standard Version footnote on the Jews, the Greek text says “those.” Revised Standard Version makes this change for clarity. The location of the town of Arbatta is unknown, but it was in Galilee along the route that Simon would have taken returning to Judea from Ptolemais.

With their wives and children: In some languages it will be sufficient to say “along with their families” (Contemporary English Version).

And all they possessed: In a number of languages this clause may be translated simply “and their possessions.”

And led them to Judea with great rejoicing may be rendered “As they returned to Judea, they rejoiced greatly.”

In most languages it will be necessary to divide this long Revised Standard Version sentence into two or more shorter sentences as Good News Bible and Contemporary English Version have done.

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.