Show signs anew, and work further wonders: This is probably a reference to Exo 7.3. Ben Sira calls on God to repeat the magnificent deeds he did when he rescued the Israelites from Egypt. Signs are supernatural events that show God’s power, and wonders are “miracles,” “terrifying things,” “great and powerful acts” that amaze people. In some languages there will be suitable terms for these kinds of events. However, if these terms are not available to a translator, it is possible to combine signs and wonders; for example, the whole line may be rendered “Perform new great and powerful acts.”

Make thy hand and thy right arm glorious: God’s hand and arm, especially the right hand and arm, are symbolic of his power. Compare Psa 98.1. Good News Translation “show us your glorious strength” is all right, but perhaps a better rendering would be “exercise your glorious strength,” “put your glorious power to work,” “use your glorious power,” or even “show us how marvelously powerful you are.”

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.