And those who previously believed that the Jews would be destroyed … : The demonstrative pronoun those refers to the king’s officials who were in charge of recording the names of the Jews (see 3 Macc 4.14). So we may render the beginning of this verse as “The king’s officials who had believed that the Jews would be killed…” or “… that the elephants would kill the Jews….”

And become food for birds: Birds refers to vultures, ravens, or other birds that eat the flesh of dead animals. This clause may be translated “and would be eaten by the birds” or “and be left as food for the birds” (Contemporary English Version).

And had joyfully registered them: Translators may begin the verse with this clause by saying “The same men who had happily [or, joyfully] written down the names of the Jews…” (see also the second model below).

Groaned as they themselves were overcome by disgrace may be rendered “now these same officials groaned in disgrace” (Contemporary English Version) or “these same men were now overcome with feelings of disgrace.”

And their fire-breathing boldness was ignominiously quenched: The phrase fire-breathing refers to anger so intense it can be compared to fire. Their fire-breathing boldness may be rendered “Their arrogance was like a hot fire” or even “They had been filled with arrogance and fiery anger” (Contemporary English Version). Ignominiously means in a shameful, disgraceful way. This reading is to be preferred to the alternate reading of some Greek manuscripts, which have “completely” (Revised Standard Version footnote). Quenched refers to the fire being put out.

Here are two possible models for this verse:

• The king’s officials had believed that the Jews would die [or, be killed], and be left for birds to eat, and they had joyfully written down their names. Now these same officials felt so disgraced [or, embarrassed] that they groaned. Their arrogance had been like a hot fire. But now it was put out.

• The same men who happily wrote down the names, thinking that the Jews were going to be killed, and that birds would feed on their bodies, were now so overcome with feelings of disgrace [or, embarrassment] that they groaned. Their arrogance had been like a hot fire, but now it was put out.

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.