This is probably the most obscure verse in the book, and any translation at all must be regarded as tentative. The Greek text is highly uncertain, and with any reconstruction the meaning is unclear. The Hebrew for most of the verse is missing, and neither the Latin nor the Syriac is of much help. The footnotes in both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation are honest and accurate.

Blessed are those who saw you: It cannot be determined from the Greek whether ben Sira is speaking of those who saw Elijah during his lifetime, or those who will be alive at the time of his return. We recommend following Good News Translation in choosing the latter meaning: “Fortunate are those who live to see you come.” For Blessed see the comments on 14.1.

And those who have been adorned in love: This is the reading of most Greek manuscripts. Some read “and those who have fallen asleep in love,” which Good News Translation is following. Since neither reading is clear, we recommend going with Revised Standard Version and the majority. Identifying the love in question as Elijah’s (which is suggested by New Revised Standard Version) helps a good bit. For this line we would suggest “and be graced with your love,” “and know the beauty of your love,” or even “and be honored by your love.” Once again, the Greek does not make clear whether this is intended as past time or future, but it should be rendered consistently with the choice made in the first line.

For we also shall surely live: It is hard to see how this line fits in. At first glance it appears to be an assurance of life after death. If so, it must be a scribal addition, since ben Sira does not seem to share this belief (14.16; 17.27-28; 41.4). New English Bible omits the line on that assumption. If, however, it is original with ben Sira or an addition by his grandson, it may be an expression of confidence that Elijah would come soon. It is clear from 47.22 that ben Sira maintained hope of the Messiah. Perhaps then it is intended to mean “And may we live to see that day,” that is, the day of Elijah’s coming. This is consistent with the Jewish expectations of ben Sira’s day, but it is only a guess. Some translators may prefer simply to translate literally.

Our suggested model for this verse is:

• Fortunate are all those who live to see you come and will be honored by your love. May we all live to see that day. *
* Verse 11 is unclear in Greek.

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.