You consumed with fire and sulphur the men of Sodom who acted arrogantly … : This verse refers to Gen 19.1-29. Sulphur is a yellow substance that burns with a hot blue flame and has a suffocating odor (see Gen 19.24; Psa 11.6; Ezek 38.22); it is an ingredient used in making gunpowder and matches. (The preferred spelling in American English is “sulfur.”) In this context fire and sulphur are not separate elements, but may be translated “burning sulfur” or “fire that suffocated everyone.” The men of Sodom refers to “the people of Sodom,” not just the males.

Who were notorious for their vices means they were well known for committing crimes, or doing bad things. As noted in the Revised Standard Version footnote, some Greek manuscripts read “who were secret in their vices.” This is not a significant textual problem, so a footnote is not necessary.

Here are alternative models for the first half of this verse:

• You used [or, sent] burning sulfur [or, suffocating fire] to destroy the arrogant [or, proud] people of Sodom, who were famous for their wickedness.

• The people of Sodom were famous for being wicked. They were arrogant, and you destroyed them with burning sulfur.

And you made them an example to those who should come afterward: God intended the destruction of the people of Sodom as a warning to later generations—the same thing could happen to them. See 2 Peter 2.6. An alternative model for this last part is:

• You made [or, used] the destruction of those people a warning for later generations [or, for people in later times].

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.