While I was still young, before I went on my travels: See 34.10-13.

I sought wisdom openly in my prayer: The author says he was open and straightforward about asking the Lord to give him wisdom. Good News Translation has “I boldly prayed for Wisdom.” Another possible rendering is “I boldly tried to 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.