Finishing the service at the altars, and arranging the offering to the Most High, the Almighty: The plural altars is idiomatic; the singular “altar” (Good News Translation) is preferable in translation. The Handbook believes that Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation slightly misrepresent this verse. Verse 15 describes the drink offering. The drink offering is part of the sacrifice ritual (the service); it does not take place after this ritual is over, as Good News Translation especially says. Moreover, if arranging the sacrifice refers to putting in order the wood and the pieces of the animal carcass on top of the altar, this has already been done. We think New English Bible has the right idea with “14 To complete the ceremonies at the altar and adorn the offering of the Most High, the Almighty, 15….” The drink offering (verse 15) is the completion of the ceremonies (finishing the service) and putting the final touches on it (arranging). Interpreting the Greek in light of the Hebrew, the meaning of the Greek verb translated arranging is probably “do in the correct way.” An alternative model for this verse is:

• In order to complete the ceremonies at the altar properly for this offering to the Most High, the Almighty, ….

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.