And Demetrius sent Jonathan a letter in peaceable words to honor him: Since this verse begins a gap in the narrative, it would be helpful to render And as “Meanwhile” or “At that time.” As in 1Macc 1.30, peaceable words refers to a friendly message with a deceitful intent (see also 1Macc 7.10, 15, 27). For a letter in peaceable words to honor him, Good News Bible has “a friendly letter full of flattery.” Another possible model is “a letter that was full of flattering words.” Demetrius had no intention of actually honoring Jonathan. He simply needed Jonathan’s help and was willing to say what he had to do in order to get it.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.