Both Revised Standard Version and Good News Bible insert a paragraph break here, which we recommend.

As soon as Maccabeus got his army organized: For Maccabeus see the comments on verse 1. This initial clause may be rendered “When Judas had finally gotten his soldiers ready to fight.”

The Gentiles could not withstand him: For Gentiles see the comments on 1Macc 1.11. Good News Bible has a good model for this clause, but we may also say “the Gentiles could not defeat him.”

For the wrath of the Lord had turned to mercy may be translated “because the Lord was no longer angry with his people. He was now going to show them mercy [or, be merciful to them].”

This verse summarizes much of the action. It tells us in advance that Judas and his men would be victorious, because the Lord was answering their prayers (as well as the prayer of the youngest brother in 2Macc 7.37-38). God’s people had suffered enough punishment. The time had come for mercy, and just as God used Antiochus to punish his people, he would use the army of Judas to show his mercy, by defeating Antiochus.

Here are alternative models for this verse:

• Once Judas had organized an army, the Gentiles could not defeat him, because the Lord was no longer angry with his people. He was now going to show them mercy.

• When Judas had gotten his soldiers ready to fight, the Gentiles could not defeat him….

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.