He put to the sword all those who came out to see them: Good News Bible begins this verse with “Suddenly,” which is helpful. Put to the sword is better translated “killed,” “slaughtered,” or even “massacred.” Apollonius didn’t do the killing himself but ordered his soldiers to do it. Good News Bible makes this clear. All those who came out to see them may be placed first by rendering the first half of this verse as “A number of people came out of the city to watch, and Apollonius commanded his soldiers to kill them all.”

Then rushed into the city with his armed men and killed great numbers of people: Apollonius’ soldiers first killed the people who had come outside the city walls to watch the parade. Then they rushed inside the walls and killed people in the city. Good News Bible omits the connector then, but it should be expressed. It may be rendered “After this.” The phrase his armed men is unnecessary here if translators mention “his soldiers” earlier in the verse.

Alternative models for this verse are:

• Suddenly Apollonius gave the command for [or, ordered] his men to kill everyone who had come out to watch them. Then he rushed with them into the city, where they killed many more people.

• A number of people came out of the city to watch, and Apollonius commanded his soldiers to kill them all. Then he quickly led his men….

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.