Encouraging them from the law and the prophets: Judas encouraged his men by reminding them of words in Scripture that told of God’s helping his people and promising his help. Good News Bible renders Encouraging them as “He renewed their hope.” The law and the prophets refers to the five books of Moses (see 1Macc 1.56) and the books of the prophets. They were books that the Jews of Maccabean times recognized as being inspired Scripture. Good News Bible says that Judas read to his men, which is possible, but not specifically said. He could have recited passages from memory, or even just referred to them.

And reminding them also of the struggles they had won: Judas not only reminded them of help from God, but also reminded them of the battles they had won already.

He made them the more eager means he roused their fighting spirit by doing this.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Judas recited [or, read] words from the Law and from the Prophets. He also reminded them of the battles they had already won [or, the times they had defeated their enemies]. This made his men ready to fight.

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.