He chose him out of all the living to offer sacrifice to the Lord: Good News Translation is good here. By expressing “The Lord” as subject, there is no need to say to the Lord after “offer sacrifices.”

Incense and a pleasing odor as a memorial portion: In some languages incense will be rendered “fragrant [or, sweet-smelling] spices [or, things].” Here the word memorial (compare verse 9, where the Greek word here is rendered “reminder”) is best interpreted “to remind the Lord of his people” (Good News Translation; similarly Contemporary English Version). Incense symbolized prayer; compare Psa 141.2; Rev 5.8; 8.3-4.

To make atonement for the people: Good News Translation expresses this well with “to take away their sins.” The textual footnote in Revised Standard Version here involves a minor matter, and may be ignored.

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.