I know that it is because of this may be rendered “I know this is why” (Good News Bible), “These crimes are the reason” (Contemporary English Version), or simply “That’s why.”

That these evils have come upon me may be expressed as “all these terrible things have happened to me” (Good News Bible) or “things have suddenly gone so wrong for me.”

And behold, I am perishing of deep grief in a strange land: For behold see 1Macc 2.12. Another way to express this attention-getting word is “Look at me,” so this final sentence may be rendered “Look at me! Here I am in a foreign country, dying of despair [or, depression].”

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.