And said nobly: Nobly may be rendered “courageously” (Good News Bible) or “bravely.” Possible models for this clause are “His words were noble” (Goldstein), “His words showed that he was very brave [or, honorable],” and “The words he spoke showed his bravery.”

I got these from Heaven, and because of his laws I disdain them, and from him I hope to get them back again: Heaven here is a way of referring to God. Contemporary English Version expands Heaven to “God in heaven,” which other languages may find helpful. For because of his laws I disdain them, New English Bible has “His laws mean far more to me than they do” (similarly Good News Bible), which is a good model. Contemporary English Version is also helpful with “I will give them up to obey his laws.” From him I hope to get them back again expresses the third brother’s belief that God will restore his hands.

Alternative models for this verse are:

• … and the words he spoke were noble [or, honorable/brave]: “God in heaven gave me these hands [or, arms], and God will give them back to me again. But God’s laws mean more to me than they do.”

• … and he spoke these courageous [or, noble] words….

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.