Even if there is only one stiff-necked person, it will be a wonder if he remains unpunished: Good News Translation rightly understands this verse to be a contrast with the 600,000 people of the previous verse, and adjusts the tenses of the verbs to reflect that. Stiff-necked means “stubborn” (Good News Translation). As a rendering for wonder, Good News Translation can use the word “miracle” because that word is often used in English in this idiomatic way. This could cause confusion in other languages. It may be better for translators to say “it would have been astounding if he had escaped punishment” or “I [ben Sira] would be surprised if he did not punish that one” (Contemporary English Version).

For mercy and wrath are with the Lord: This means that mercy and anger belong to the Lord; they are his, to deal out as he wishes. Good News Translation restructures this line, but does so in such a way that the Lord is not described as permanently angry: “The Lord is merciful, but he can also become angry.” We could also say “The Lord can be merciful, but he can also show anger.” The Revised Standard Version footnote here is a technicality that may be ignored.

He is mighty to forgive, and he pours out wrath: Good News Translation combines the ideas in he is mighty and he pours out into “He can be overwhelming.” Revised English Bible restructures this line, saying “he shows his power now in forgiveness, now in overflowing anger.” This suggests a model, following on the suggestion for the previous line: “He can show his power by forgiving sin, but also by furious anger.”

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.