Good News Translation and New Revised Standard Version render verses 1-3 in the plural, of doctors in general. This is more natural in English, and will be natural style in many other languages.

Honor the physician with the honor due him, according to your need of him: With the honor due him translates a phrase that is textually questionable (see the Revised Standard Version footnote). It is in the Greek manuscripts, but it comes at the end of a line that is too long (something has been added), and it is not in the Hebrew. It appears to be a scribal correction or note that was later copied as part of the text itself. Ziegler omits it from his Greek text. (A footnote in New Jerusalem Bible suggests that it refers to paying the doctor.) According to your need of him is an awkward translation of an unclear phrase. In both Greek and Hebrew it reads “according to his need[s]” (a marginal note in the Hebrew manuscript reads “according to your need”). It is possible to understand “his needs” as meaning “your need of him.” In our judgment a good solution, and a good model, is provided by New Revised Standard Version for this line: “Honor physicians for their services.” This omits the questionable phrase and translates according to your need of him dynamically. New Revised Standard Version has no footnote and we agree that none is necessary.

For the Lord created him: This is a clear and simple translation of the Greek, and we recommend that translators follow it rather than Good News Translation‘s reading of the Hebrew.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Honor doctors for their services because the Lord created them.

It is also possible to reverse the order of the lines as follows:

• The Lord created doctors, so honor them for their services [or, the help they give you].

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.