The fear of the Lord is honor and reverence for the Lord.

This verse equates The fear of the Lord with four subsequent nouns/noun phrases: glory … exultation … gladness … crown of rejoicing. A literal translation such as Revised Standard Version will prove quite difficult for most readers. Two approaches are suggested: First, New English Bible says that the “The fear of the Lord brings” these things, which is certainly easier than saying it is these things. This could be personalized by saying “The fear of the Lord will bring you….” Second, Good News Translation expresses fear and crown as verbs with the reader as subject. This is perhaps the better model, if “crowned with happiness and joy” is not too difficult.

Glory refers here to human glory; the Greek word for glory is used in its basic sense of “good reputation.” “Honor” (Good News Translation) is a good equivalent. Exultation (Good News Translation “pride”) is not a sin here. It is thought of in a positive sense. “Self-respect” would be a better equivalent. Gladness, in Di Lella’s words, “connotes a good mental and moral state, a sense of serenity and happiness, resulting from an upright and virtuous life” (1987; page 143). The Greek word translated crown might refer to the circle of precious metal placed on the head of a ruler, or to a wreath or garland of greenery placed on the head of a person to be honored, such as the winner of an athletic contest. Crown of rejoicing is a figure meaning “joy is the glorious reward [for those who fear God].” In Good News Translation the word “crowned” could be changed to “rewarded” without distorting the meaning. The phrase gladness and a crown of rejoicing will be used again in 15.6; compare also 6.31.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• If you have reverence for the Lord, you will have honor and self-respect;
your reward will be happiness and joy.

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.