When Nicanor learned that his plan had been disclosed may be expressed as “When Nicanor realized that Judas had discovered [or, knew of] his plans” or “When Nicanor realized that he could not trick Judas” (Contemporary English Version).

He went out to meet Judas in battle near Caphar-salama is literally “and he went out to an encounter with Judas in battle near Capharsalama.” He not only went in order to meet Judas in battle, but he did meet him in battle, so Contemporary English Version says “he attacked him near the town of Caphar-Salama.” The location of the town called Caphar-salama is not certain; there are several suggestions. Perhaps the best is that it lay about 11 kilometers (7 miles) northwest of Jerusalem.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• When Nicanor learned that Judas knew of his plans, he marched out and attacked Judas and his men near the town of Capharsalama.

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.