And now, far be it from me to spare my life in any time of distress, for I am not better than my brothers: The expression far be it from me to spare my life (Good News Bible “never let it be said that I tried to save my life”) is one in which Simon expressed a wish or determination that he would not hesitate to risk his life. I am not better than my brothers means he is not more important than they are. An alternative model for this verse is:

• Now I am not any better than my brothers, and I will certainly not hesitate to risk my own life in a dangerous situation [or, time].

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.