Good News Translation
He did this to eliminate Syrian oppression, since the Jews clearly saw that they were being reduced to slavery.

New Revised Standard Version
and to free themselves from the yoke; for they saw that the kingdom of the Greeks was enslaving Israel completely.

New American Bible
He did this to lift the yoke from Israel, for it was obvious that the kingdom of the Greeks was subjecting them to slavery.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And that they might take off from them the yoke of the Grecians, for they saw that they oppressed the kingdom of Israel with servitude.

And that they might take off from them the yoke of the Grecians, for they saw that they oppressed the kingdom of Israel with servitude.

1 Maccabees 8:16
And that they committed their government to one man every year, to rule over all their country, and they all obey one, and there is no envy nor jealousy amongst them.

1 Maccabees 8:17
So Judas chose Eupolemus, the son of John, the son of Jacob, and Jason, the son of Eleazar, and he sent them to Rome to make a league of amity and confederacy with them:

1 Maccabees 8:19
And they went to Rome, a very long journey, and they entered into the senate house, and said:

1 Maccabees 8:20
Judas Machabeus, and his brethren, and the people of the Jews, have sent us to you to make alliance and peace with you, and that we may be registered your confederates and friends.