And now bless the God of all: For bless see 39.14. God of all may be rendered “God of the universe” (Good News Translation) or “God who has created all things.” An alternative model for this line is “Now, then, let us praise the God who has created all things.”

Who in every way does great things: “Everywhere” (Good News Translation) and “everywhere on earth” (Contemporary English Version) are other ways of translating the Greek word rendered in every way. Compare Psa 136.4.

Who exalts our days from birth: The Handbook believes the translation in the Good News Translation footnote, “honors us,” is better than “brings us up,” which is in the text. Either rendering can be justified and translators may choose either. Another way to render this line is “He honors us from the time we are born.”

And deals with us according to his mercy: Contemporary English Version says “and shows mercy to us.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Now, then, let us praise the God who has created all things, who has done great things [or, miracles/wonders] everywhere. He honors us from the time we are born and shows mercy to us.

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.