For as the master builder of a new house must be concerned with the whole construction: The connector For may be omitted, as in Good News Bible. For this whole clause Good News Bible says “I am not the builder of a new house who is concerned with every detail of the structure,” which is an acceptable model; but it is possible to view Jason as the master builder as Contemporary English Version does, saying “He was like a builder who had to know every detail about the new house he was constructing.” Another possible model is “Jason was like the builder of a new house. He had to know every detail if he was to build it properly.”

While the one who undertakes its painting and decoration has to consider only what is suitable for its adornment, such in my judgment is the case with us: The writer compares himself to a painter or decorator who comes in after a house has been built, and prepares it for its owner by applying the finishing touches. He is not concerned with the technical details about how to build a house, just how to make it look attractive. Again Good News Bible may be used as a model. But if translators follow the other models given for the first half of this verse, they may say “I, on the other hand, am simply like a painter [or, decorator] whose only concern [or, job] is to make the house look beautiful.”

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.