The Lord has plucked up the roots of the nations, and has planted the humble in their place: Notice that this verse is closely parallel to verse 14. This is clear in Good News Translation‘s translation of the two verses, which provides a good model. Revised Standard Version‘s footnote correctly indicates that some Greek manuscripts read “proud nations” rather than “nations.” This may be ignored. In English one speaks of pulling plants up by the roots, not pulling up the roots of plants. This accounts for Good News Translation “pulled up nations by the roots” (similarly Contemporary English Version). In languages where the metaphor of roots will seem strange, we may avoid the metaphor by rendering the whole verse as follows:

• The Lord has removed nations from their lands, and given the lands to ordinary people.

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.