It was Ezekiel who saw the vision of glory which God showed him above the chariot of the cherubim: The vision refers to Ezek 1.4-28. For comments on vision, see 48.22. Glory refers specifically to Ezek 1.26-28, and may be translated as “the dazzling light of the Lord’s presence.” God is literally “he,” but Revised Standard Version spells out the pronoun for clarity. It would be better to say “the Lord” since ben Sira prefers “the Lord” rather than “God”. In the Ezekiel passage the word chariot is not used, but ancient Jews interpreted the wheels in Ezek 1.15-21 as a heavenly chariot. For chariot see 48.9. Cherubim refers to the “living creatures” (Good News Translation) of Ezek 1.5-14. In some languages, however, “living creatures” will simply mean “animals.” For this reason some translators will need to transliterate cherubim and give a description of them in a footnote or the glossary. Other ways to translate this verse are:

• Ezekiel had a vision of living creatures [or, cherubim], and a chariot, and over them, the glory [or, dazzling light] of the Lord himself.

• Ezekiel had a vision of the Lord’s glory, appearing over [four] living creatures [or, cherubim] and a chariot.

• The Lord let Ezekiel see his dazzling light appearing over the cherubim and a chariot.

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.