Both Good News Translation and Revised Standard Version begin this verse with quotation marks to indicate that Wisdom now is speaking. Contemporary English Version begins with “And this is what she says:….”

I came forth from the mouth of the Most High: Compare Pro 2.6; Wis 7.25. The reference here is to God’s speaking at the time of creation in Gen 1. Good News Translation (following New English Bible) goes as far as translation legitimately can in pointing to this by saying “I am the word spoken by the Most High”; but in many languages “I came from the mouth of God Most High” (Contemporary English Version) will be a natural translation.

And covered the earth like a mist: This may refer to Gen 2.6, or to the Spirit of God that covered the waters in Gen 1.2; compare Jdt 16.14. Mist is a cloud that comes down and covers the ground. In some desert areas near the ocean it is the only way that moisture reaches the earth.

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.