And should slay those who did not choose to change over to Greek customs: The king was insistent that the Jews give up their traditional way of life, and wanted any Jew that refused to do this to be killed. Here are models for verse 8 and this first sentence of verse 9:

• 8 The people of Ptolemais suggested to the king that the Jews in the nearby Gentile cities [outside Judea] be treated the same way, and be forced to eat meat from the [pagan] sacrifices. So he [or, the king] ordered the people of these cities 9 to kill any Jews who would not adopt a Greek way of life [or, live like Greeks].

• 8 The citizens of Ptolemais suggested to King Antiochus that he treat the Jews in the nearby Gentile cities outside of Judea the same way, and force them to eat meat from the pagan sacrifices. So he commanded the people of these cities: 9 “You must kill any Jews who do not agree to live like Greeks.”

One could see, therefore, the misery that had come upon them means it was clear at the time that the Jews were going to suffer, because many of them were not going to give up their Jewish way of life or worship. Good News Bible‘s model will be difficult for many translators to render. Goldstein provides a more useful model, saying “It was clear that a time of trouble had come.” Another possibility is “Clearly, there was soon going to be a lot of suffering for them.”

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.