Their descendants stand by the covenants: Translators have a choice with the tense of the verb here. They could say stand or “have [always] stood.” To stand by the covenant means to keep its terms. Covenants in the plural is unexpected, but it is singular in Hebrew, and even in Greek probably refers simply to the covenant with Moses (see the comments on 17.12). In some languages it will be necessary to make it clear that the agreement is with God; for example, this line may be rendered “Their descendants continue being faithful to the covenant [or, agreement] with the Lord.”

Their children also, for their sake: For their sake is literally “because of them.” Good News Translation takes this to mean “because of what they [that is, their ancestors] did.” More likely it means “to honor their ancestors.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Their descendants have always kept the covenant [or, agreement] with the Lord,
and will always faithfully do this in order to honor their ancestors.

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.