Lysias took the public platform: This simply means that “Lysias made a public speech” (Good News Bible). He faced an angry crowd, standing where he could be seen and heard by all, and trying to reason with them.

Made the best possible defense, convinced them, appeased them, gained their good will, and set out for Antioch: Lysias defended the wisdom of making the treaty with the Jews, he convinced the townspeople that it was the right thing to do, he calmed their anger, he regained their support, and then he left for Antioch. For made the best possible defense, Contemporary English Version has “he thoroughly explained the agreement.” Good News Bible combines appeased them and gained their good will, which does no harm, but both these clauses may be kept by rendering the first sentence of this verse as follows:

• Lysias made a public speech, in which he ably defended the agreement with the Jews. He convinced the people that it was the right thing to do, and calmed their anger. Once he had their support, he left for Antioch.

This is how the king’s attack and withdrawal turned out: This sentence summarizes the contents of chapter 13. It is best rendered as a short paragraph (so Good News Bible). It may be rendered “And that is the story of King Antiochus’ attack [on the Jews] and his retreat.”

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.