Let what we have said serve as a reminder: The author has written the preceding material to remind his readers that no matter how much worse this history becomes, God is not going to abandon the Jews. He uses the pronoun we to refer to himself. Here are some other ways to render this clause: “I just want to make sure you realize [or, know] this,” “I say this just so you can keep it in mind,” and even “I have said these things to remind you of God’s way of dealing with us” (Contemporary English Version).

We must go on briefly with the story: Briefly here means “quickly.” The author says he has spent enough time explaining the situation, and must now resume the history. This clause may be rendered “I must now return to the story.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Now that I know you understand this, I must return to the story.

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.