From the beginning good things were created for good people: From the beginning may be rendered “From the time he made the world.” Good News Translation expresses this line in the active voice, with the Lord as subject. It could be translated “From the time he made the world, he has provided good things for good people.”

Just as evil things for sinners: Here the Hebrew (as well as the Latin) has “but for sinners good things and bad” (New Revised Standard Version). We do not recommend this, since it has no basis in any Greek manuscripts and since the passage makes good sense without the change. Some translators may feel, however, after working through this section, that the Hebrew of this verse makes better sense. They should feel free to consider it as an option. Good News Translation has “and terrible things for sinners” while Contemporary English Version says “and horrible things for sinners.”

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.