To fear the Lord is the root of wisdom: Here is the fourth occurrence of the formula “To fear the Lord is the X of wisdom” (see verses 14, 16, and 18). To say that reverence for the Lord is the root of wisdom is to say that reverence for the Lord is where wisdom originates, where it comes from. The image of the root is fairly simple and widespread. Most translators will probably find they can use it, but for those who cannot or who wish to avoid it, we can say “Honoring the Lord is where wisdom begins” or “We begin to learn God’s truths [or, ways] when we revere him.” We could even substitute a similar metaphor, such as the source of a river or a spring of water, but the next line will have to be adapted for consistency with the figure chosen.

And her branches are long life: If Wisdom is compared to a tree, and reverence for the Lord is the root system, then the branches of the tree represent long life for those who are wise. The Greek word translated long life is the word used in verse 12.

Contemporary English Version has a helpful model for this verse:

• Wisdom is like a tree—
at its root is respect
for the Lord,
and its branches represent
a long lifetime.

Some manuscripts add verse 21. It should be included in a footnote at the end of verse 20 (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation).

The fear of the Lord drives away sins; that is, honoring the Lord strengthens a person to resist sin, makes one more resistant to temptation. It keeps sins at bay, like a campfire in a wilderness keeps wild animals at a safe distance. The idea is not, as Good News Translation seems to indicate, taking away the guilt of sin already committed. Alternative models are “When we revere the Lord, we become more able to resist sin” and “… we are less likely to sin.”

And where it abides, it will turn away all anger: The anger intended here is God’s anger. Where the fear of the Lord is found, God never shows his anger. It is possible to combine The fear of the Lord and where it [fear] abides with:

• When we revere the Lord we are less likely to sin,
and he will never be angry with us.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Sirach. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.