And it has seemed good to us to accept the shield from them: The shield refers to the one mentioned in verse 18. This statement threatens retaliation. It means that Rome accepts the responsibility to protect Judea. Good News Bible translates fairly literally, mentioning the shield, but it also adds the explanatory clause “and grant them protection.” Another way to express this verse is:

• We have decided to accept the gold shield; this decision shows that we have put the Jews under our protection.

It is possible to combine verses 19-20 as follows:

• We are keeping this gift [the shield] and will protect the Jews. So we have decided to write this letter to various kings and countries, warning them not to harm the Jews, their towns, or their country in any way. They must not attack the Jews or help enemies who attack them.

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.