Here ben Sira’s thought shifts a little. He has talked about the uncertainty of financial success. Now he goes on to advise his readers to pursue their work with diligence regardless of reward. In the end, it is the Lord’s will that determines success or failure financially. But in a deeper sense, true success can be measured by our religious sincerity.

Stand by your covenant and attend to it: A covenant is an agreement. In this context it seems to refer to an agreement someone has made in the line of business, a commitment of some kind made to another person or persons. New English Bible translates it as “contract.” This sounds too modern, but is the general idea. Instead of covenant, the Hebrew has “task” (so Revised Standard Version footnote). Good News Translation follows the Hebrew here, which we recommend. Attend to means to do something with care. For the whole line Good News Translation translates “Stand by your duty and stick to it.” Another possibility is “Be faithful [or, conscientious] in fulfilling your obligations” or “If you have obligations to do business with [or, work for] others, you must be faithful to these obligations.”

And grow old in your work: This means to keep at your work until you are old. Another possible rendering is “even if you must work till you are old.” The chances are you will not be like the person in verse 18 who works so hard that in old age he has enough saved up to live on. So prepare to continue your life’s work all your life. There is no hint in this verse that the quality of our work suffers as we grow older. Old refers to the person, not the work.

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.