If not for their own sake, yet for the sake of the covenants made with their fathers, and because he had called them by his holy and glorious name: If God did not choose to rescue these people for their own sake, he might do so because he had made promises to their ancestors, and because they were his own people. For covenants see the comments on 1Macc 1.11. He had called them by his holy and glorious name means their ancestors were known by the name of the God of Israel, that is, they were known as God’s people. In languages where holy is translated as “clean” or “pure” should be careful here. It is better to say “great” (Good News Bible) in this context.

Goldstein suggests translating the prayer in verses 14-15 as direct speech, and we recommend this strongly. Here are models that do this:

• 14~The others [or, The rest] sold everything they had [or, all their possessions], and prayed together, “Lord, please save us from this ungodly Nicanor, who intends to sell us as slaves. 15~If not for our own sake, save us because of the promises you made to our ancestors. For they were known as your people, because you are the great and glorious God who called [or, chose] them.”

• … For people knew them as your people, because….”

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.