Judas and his brothers are once again the center of attention, so we recommend that translators begin a new paragraph at this point.

The man Judas and his brothers were greatly honored in all Israel and among all the Gentiles: The phrase The man Judas calls attention to Judas. New Jerusalem Bible and Abel translate “The noble Judas,” and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible has “The gallant Judas.” We may say “This brave man Judas.” Any of these models is better than saying simply “Judas” (Contemporary English Version). Were greatly honored in all Israel and among all the Gentiles may be rendered “won great respect among all the Israelites and all the Gentiles” (Good News Bible), or the whole clause may be reordered by saying “All the Israelites and Gentiles highly respected this brave [or, noble] man Judas and his brothers.”

Wherever their name was heard: Good News Bible joins this clause to the next verse. This is not necessary, but it works well. See also the models below for verses 63-64.

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.