From here to the end of the section the author mostly addresses his reader in the second person singular. For more on translating this, see the comments on verse 1.

Honor your father by word and deed: The meaning of this is well expressed by Good News Translation with “Honor your father in everything you do and say.” The Greek puts emphasis on by word and deed, and Good News Translation could have brought that out also by reversing the word order: “In everything you do and say, honor your father.”

That a blessing from him may come upon you: The ancient Hebrews believed that a blessing spoken by someone on another person was an action that actually worked to bring about the good things wished for the person in the words of the blessing. For a father to pronounce such a blessing on a child was especially important, since it was spoken in love and pride, and from the superior position of an older person. Examples of this are found in Gen 9.26-27; 27.27-29; 48.15-16. The act of blessing often involved calling upon God to bestow special favors upon the child. In this present verse that idea is probably present, and in some languages it must be made clear; for example, “so that he [the father] may ask the Lord to bestow special favors upon you.” A son would cherish such a blessing, since it showed he had earned the confidence and pride of his father, and that his father spoke words—performed an action—that began working for his good fortune. The author is here telling his readers that someone must show that such a blessing is deserved, by doing the child’s duty of honoring the father in action as well as in words. We may translate this verse as follows:

• In everything you do and say, honor your father, so that he may bless [or, call down special favors upon] you.

• … so that he may ask the Lord to bestow special favors upon you.

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.