Translators should not make a paragraph break here as in Revised Standard Version, since this verse has a close connection with the previous one.

Nevertheless Nicanor, hearing of the valor of Judas and his men and their courage in battle for their country, shrank from deciding the issue by bloodshed: Although Nicanor had caught Simon by surprise, he did not want to pursue his advantage, because he knew the reputation of the Jews for fierce fighting in defending their country. An alternative model for this verse is:

• … but still, Nicanor was not eager to continue fighting the Jewish soldiers, because he knew how brave Judas and his men could be when fighting for their country.

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.