Now Ptolemy the son of Abubus had been appointed governor over the plain of Jericho: The Greek does not say that Simon had appointed Ptolemy governor, as Good News Bible has it, but it is clearly implied. Verses 11-12 give reasons why the treacherous Ptolemy should have been grateful to Simon. So Good News Bible is correct in making Simon the subject of an active verb here. (It also brings the title “High Priest” forward from verse 12.) The Greek word for governor refers to a military commander, so it is better rendered “commander” (Good News Bible; see the comments on 1Macc 10.65, where it is translated “general”). Good News Bible and New Jerusalem Bible capitalize plain to indicate that “the Plain of Jericho” is a particular administrative area. This works well, but governor over the plain of Jericho may be rendered simply “commander of the area around Jericho.” For Jericho see 1Macc 9.50.

And he had much silver and gold: Good News Bible says simply “Ptolemy was very rich,” which is quite adequate. The statement should be connected with the next verse, as both Revised Standard Version and Good News Bible do.

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.