Blessed is he who concerns himself with these things: For Blessed see the comments on 14.1. These things refers to the contents of the book. Good News Translation provides a helpful model for this line. Another possibility is “Happy are those who give attention to these teachings.”

And he who lays them to heart will become wise: Lays them to heart means to take them seriously and try to observe them.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Happy are those who give attention to these teachings. Whoever seriously follows [or, obeys] them will become wise.

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.