For all things cannot be in men: The connector For is better rendered “But” since this section contrasts with the previous section by speaking about human nature as opposed to God’s nature. A footnote in Revised Standard Version indicates that the Greek text of this line is uncertain. However, it is really the meaning here that is in question. There are two different interpretations given to this line as follows: (1) “But this [merciful forgiveness] is not the nature of human beings” (Good News Translation; similarly New American Bible, Luís Alonso Schökel, Box and Oesterley). This is suggested by the Syriac, and it fits the context. (2) “People cannot have everything” (Good News Translation footnote; similarly New Jerusalem Bible) or “Not everything is within human reach” (Revised English Bible; similarly New Revised Standard Version, La Bible Pléiade, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). We suggest that translators follow the first option. This would read the Greek as follows: “But all [these] things cannot be [found] among humans.” If a new section begins here, as we are suggesting, translators need to express fully what is meant by “all [these] things.” The simplest model is suggested by Luís Alonso Schökel, who also begins a new section here: “Human beings are not like God.” We do not feel that a footnote is necessary here, but if a translator wants one, the following footnote is suggested: “The meaning of this line is uncertain.”

Since a son of man is not immortal: Here a son of man means simply “a human being.” If the suggested meaning of the previous line is followed, then we could render this line as “None of them are immortal” or “Not one of them will live forever.” Good News Translation uses the first person pronoun “us” to express a son of man, so for the whole line it has “not one of us is immortal.” Contemporary English Version uses first person plural pronouns throughout this section to stand for humanity.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• But we are not like God; not one of us will live forever.

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.