In all you do, remember the end of your life, and then you will never sin: This verse is best seen as a summary statement of the whole section. A lot of advice has been given, but all we need to do is remember that we must die (compare Eccl 7.2). If we bear that in mind, how we treat others becomes simpler. You will never sin is a literal rendering, but in this context New English Bible seems to have a better hold on its meaning with “all your life you will never go wrong.” An alternative model for this verse is:

• Whatever you are doing, remember that someday you must die. As long as you keep that in mind, you will never go wrong.

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.