If you will maintain your good will toward the government: Lysias encourages the Jews to show good will to the Syrian government and stay that way. He does not claim they have any good will to maintain. The second person pronouns you and your are plural in Greek. The Greek word translated government is actually a plural noun meaning “affairs of state, business/official affairs.” This clause may be translated negatively by saying “If you agree not to cause the government any trouble.”

I will endeavor for the future to help promote your welfare: For the future is unnecessary and can be omitted if the translation otherwise makes clear that the future is meant. This clause may be rendered “I will work to help your nation [or, make your nation prosper].”

Here are alternative models for this verse:

• If you agree not to cause the government any trouble, I will do everything I can [in the future] to help your nation.

• As long as you do not interfere with government business, I will work to help your nation.

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.