He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him the priesthood of the people: He made an everlasting covenant with him may be rendered “He made an agreement with him that would last forever [or, for all time].” The phrase gave him the priesthood is a bit awkward in English, so Good News Translation has filled it in with “giving him the privilege of serving as priest.” It could also be translated “entrusted him with the duty of serving as priest.” The Greek text does not say “the Lord’s people” (Good News Translation), but it is obviously meant, and translators should add “Lord’s” if it seems helpful. For comments on the role and translation of “priest,” see 7.29.

He blessed him with splendid vestments, and put a glorious robe upon him: See Exo 28.1-4. Splendid vestments translates a Greek word basically meaning “good order.” Good News Translation “fine ornaments” is reasonable in this context, but is a bit off target. The word describes the priest’s appearance when in full dress, not necessarily the garments or ornamentations themselves. It would be better to say “He honored [blessed] him by clothing him in a magnificent robe and other beautiful garments.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• The Lord made an agreement with Aaron that would last forever, and entrusted to him the duty of serving as a priest to the people of Israel. He honored him by clothing him in a magnificent robe and other beautiful garments.

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.