Trypho learned that Simon had risen up in place of Jonathan his brother, and that he was about to join battle with him: Trypho was holding his opponent Jonathan as prisoner, so he had reason to hope that he would meet no organized resistance as he moved into Judea, but he learned that Simon had taken charge of the Jewish armies and was ready to fight. Once again Trypho preferred to try a deceitful scheme rather than engage in battle (compare 1Macc 12.41-48). In a number of languages it will be more natural style to use direct discourse here; for example, “Someone told Trypho, ‘Simon has taken his brother Jonathan’s place as leader of the Jews and he’s ready to attack you.’”

So he sent envoys to him and said may be rendered “So Trypho sent this message to Simon…” or “So Trypho sent a message to Simon. The message said….”

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.