In Malay, the pronoun beta for the royal “I” (or “my” or “me”) that is used by royals when speaking to people of lower rank, subordinates or commoners to refer to themselves in these verses. This reflects the “language of the court because the monarchy and sultanate in Malaysia are still alive and well. All oral and printed literature (including newspapers and magazines) preserve and glorify the language of the court. Considering that the language of the court is part of the Malaysian language, court language is used sparingly where appropriate, specifically with texts relating to palace life.” (Source: Daud Soesilo in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 263ff.)
Translation commentary on 2 Maccabees 9:27
For I am sure that he will follow my policy and will treat you with moderation and kindness: The logical connector For may be left implied (so Good News Bible). The king issues another underlying threat here. He threatens, “Your troubles are not over if I die and my son succeeds me as king.” We might hint at this irony by rendering the verse as follows:
• I am confident that he will handle things as I have done, and treat you with the same kindness and fairness that I have always shown you.”
This is the end of the letter. If translators have set it off by indentation, the indentation should stop here.
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.
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