And they all, looking to heaven, blessed the Lord who had manifested himself, saying: Blessed may be rendered “praised” (Good News Bible; see the comments on 1Macc 4.30). For the Lord, who had manifested himself, see the comments on “manifestation” at verse 27. Good News Bible translates “the Lord, who had revealed his power,” which is good. We may use direct speech in the first half of this verse by saying “Then they all looked toward heaven and said, ‘Lord God, we praise you for showing us your power.’”

Blessed is he who has kept his own place undefiled: His own place is the Temple. Good News Bible shows how this short exclamation can be translated in indirect discourse. Translators who prefer direct discourse may say “We praise you for protecting your Temple from being desecrated [or, defiled].”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Then they all looked toward heaven and said, “Lord God, we praise you for showing us your power, and for protecting your Temple from being desecrated.”

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.