Whoever obeys me will not be put to shame: Again, Good News Translation words this as a command. Another way to express this line is “If you obey me, you will never be disgraced [or, lose face].”

And those who work with my help will not sin: Those who work with my help is literally “those who work in me,” that is, those who cooperate with me. New Revised Standard Version says “those who work with me,” which makes good use of English idiom. Good News Translation rewords it as a command, saying simply “Do as I say.” Good News Translation “will be safe from sin” pictures the sinner as a victim, which is not quite right. Will not sin or “will never sin” (Contemporary English Version) is better; it places the responsibility for not sinning on the person.

Sin has now been brought into the picture for the first time in the chapter. This provides for the transition to the next section, where ben Sira will talk about God’s Law.

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.