We have aimed to please those who wish to read, to make it easy for those who are inclined to memorize, and to profit all readers is literally “we have been concerned with entertainment for those who wish to read, ease for the lovers of wisdom to memorize, and profit for all who happen [to read].” The three underlined nouns are the objects of the verb “have been concerned with.” Good News Bible has rearranged the order effectively, placing the final clause and to profit all readers first. In our model below we follow this order. Once again the pronoun we is the “editorial we,” so Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version, and New English Bible say “I.” The clause to make it easy for those who are inclined to memorize can be interpreted differently, as Goldstein has done by saying “a clear and memorable style for pursuers of wisdom.” Our own feeling is that the writer is saying he is trying to make the history easier to remember—not necessarily to memorize—and that he is speaking of the history being remembered, not his own writing style being memorable.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• I hope that my shorter book will help all readers. I want to make it pleasant for those who enjoy reading, and to make it easier for those who wish to learn [or, remember] the history.

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.