The fear of the Lord is like a garden of blessing: The Greek word translated garden is the word for “paradise,” and New Jerusalem Bible translates it that way. Instead of a garden of blessing, the Hebrew reads “Eden of blessing.”

And covers a man better than any glory: In Greek a man is simply “him,” which is puzzling. This whole line is literally “and above every glory it covers him [or, it].” Looking at the Hebrew clarifies the Greek. It reads “and its cover [canopy] is above every glory.” Glory here can be interpreted as “mark of honor.” Revised English Bible translates this line as “it affords better protection than high position.” This is a reasonable approach, fitting the context. Money can provide security (verse 25), and so can good health, (verse 26), but there is no better protection than fearing the Lord—not even a high position.

A possible model for this verse is:

• If you honor the Lord, it is like living in a paradise [or, a garden] full of blessings; it will protect you more surely than holding any important position.

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.