The virgins who had been enclosed in their chambers refers to young women who were kept secluded, indoors, until they were married. Contemporary English Version says “Young women who had never been out in public,” which is a good equivalent in English. See 2 Macc 3.19; Sir 42.9-11.

Rushed out with their mothers may be rendered “came running outdoors [or, into the streets] with their mothers.”

Sprinkled their hair with dust was a sign of distress (not exactly “sorrow” as in Contemporary English Version). A helpful model here is “They were in such distress [or, were so upset] that they covered their heads with dust.” Some ancient Greek translations add “and ashes,” but we do not recommend this addition.

And filled the streets with groans and lamentations may be translated “Their cries and moans echoed through the streets” or even “You could hear them crying and moaning all over the city.”

Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• Young women who had never been out in public came running outdoors with their mothers. They were so upset that they covered their heads with dust. Their cries and moans echoed through the streets.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 3-4 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2018. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.