Nicanor determined to make up for the king the tribute due to the Romans, two thousand talents, by selling the captured Jews into slavery: Both Good News Bible and Contemporary English Version begin this verse with the information about the money that King Antiochus owed the Romans. This is a good way to present this new information. See another way in the model below. Determined may be translated “decided” or “planned” (Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). To make up for the king the tribute due may be expressed as “to pay off the debt that King Antiochus owed.” Two thousand talents is about 68,000 kilograms (150,000 pounds) of silver (see the comments on 1Macc 11.28). By selling the captured Jews into slavery may be rendered “by selling the Jews he captured as slaves.” An alternative model for this verse is:

• Nicanor thought that he would capture many Jews and sell them as slaves. The king [or, King Antiochus] could then use the money to pay the government of Rome [or, the Romans] 68,000 kilograms [or, 150,000 pounds] of silver that he owed [them].

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.