For in former times, when there was no mingling with the Gentiles is literally “For in the earlier times of the separation.” Revised Standard Version adds with the Gentiles. The logical connector For may be left implied (so Good News Bible). For the Greek word for “separation,” see the comments on verse 3. Here, as there, we interpret this to be a reference to the rebellion against Syrian rule by the Maccabees. We may render this clause as “At an earlier time, when the Jews rebelled against the Gentiles.”

He had been accused of Judaism means Razis had been accused of living according to the Jewish Law.

And for Judaism he had with all zeal risked body and life: Zeal refers to his enthusiastic devotion to Judaism. Body and life can be combined; they represent the same thing: Razis’s willingness to die for his faith.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• At an earlier time, during the rebellion [or, when the Jews rebelled against the Gentiles], he was accused of living by the Jewish Law. He was so devout a Jew that he risked his life for his religion.

We recommend combining verses 37 and 38 in order to rearrange the material in these verses. Here is a model that does it:

• There was an old man in Jerusalem named Razis, who loved his fellow citizens. At an earlier time, during the rebellion [or, when the Jews rebelled against the Gentiles], people had accused him of living by the Jewish Law. He was so devout a Jew that he risked his life for his religion. The Jewish people had great respect for him and called him “Father,” because he cared so much for them. But he had enemies who called him to Nicanor’s attention [or, brought charges against him to Nicanor].

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.