But those who had held fast to God even to death … : The connector But is not correct here. A more accurate conjunction is “Then.” Those who had held fast to God even to death does not refer to martyrs, to people who actually died, for in 3 Maccabees the faithful Jews do not die. This clause means, however, that they were willing to die. So we may begin this verse with “Then all these Jews who had been willing to die rather than abandon God’s Law….”

And had received the full enjoyment of deliverance: It is not clear whether this clause refers to their own deliverance, to the vengeance they took on the unfaithful Jews, or even to their joyful departure from the city. The conjunction and is not in the Greek text, but is inferred by Revised Standard Version. Anderson (similarly Hadas) begins this verse with “But those who held fast to God even unto death enjoyed the full advantage of their deliverance and departed from the city….” We prefer this model and follow it below, but we use “Then” instead of But. Had received the full enjoyment of deliverance may be rendered “now could enjoy their rescue to the full.”

As they made their way home from Alexandria, they were not wearing chains and shackles as they did when they came into the city (3 Macc 3.25), but they were now crowned with all sorts of very fragrant flowers. They put wreaths of beautiful flowers around their heads as a sign of happy celebration (compare Jdt 15.13; see also the comments on 3 Macc 4.8). We may translate this clause as “They wore sweet-smelling flowers around their heads” (Contemporary English Version) or “with wreaths of sweet-smelling flowers around their heads [or, in their hair].”

Joyfully and loudly giving thanks to the one God of their fathers may be rendered “They were joyful and shouted their thanks to the one God, the God of their ancestors.”

The eternal Savior of Israel may be translated “the God who always saves [or, rescues] Israel.” The alternative readings mentioned in Revised Standard Version‘s footnote here may be ignored.

In words of praise and all kinds of melodious songs may be expressed as “They praised him and sang all kinds of beautiful songs.”

Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• Then these Jews, who had been willing to die rather than abandon God’s Law, now could enjoy their rescue to the full. They departed Alexandria wearing wreaths of sweet-smelling flowers around their heads [or, in their hair]. They were joyful and shouted their thanks to the one God, the God of their ancestors. He is the eternal God who always saves [or, rescues] Israel. They praised him and sang all kinds of beautiful songs.

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.