The letter was written in the above form: This verse simply indicates that verses 12-29 give the content of the king’s letter, at least approximately. It may be translated “This was the kind of thing written in the letter” or “That was what the king said in his letter.”

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.