Far be it from us to desert the law and the ordinances: Far be it from us is a strong idiomatic expression of determination similar to “God forbid that we” (New American Bible) or “Heaven forbid we” (New English Bible). Compare 2~Sam 20.20. Translators who are following our author in avoiding the words “God” and “Lord” should not follow Good News Bible for this verse; Good News Bible not only uses the word “God” but misses the force of the expression Far be it from us. Some better models are “We will never—never—give up [or, stop obeying] the Law [of Moses] and its rules,” “Nothing can make us give up [or, stop obeying]…,” and “There is no way that we will ever—ever—give up….”

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.