They surrounded me on every side: Translators should make sure readers understand that They refers to “enemies.” The best way to do this is to say so, as does Good News Translation, which renders this line as “enemies surrounded me everywhere.”

And there was no one to help me: Good News Translation seems to omit this line, but it is actually combining it with the last line of the verse. While this is possible, it is not necessary or perhaps advisable. Repeating the idea can convey the sense of desperation the author is trying to express. Revised Standard Version is a model for this line. An alternative model for the first two lines is “My enemies surrounded me everywhere, and there was no one to help me.”

I looked for the assistance of men, and there was none: The phrase of men contributes to the idea that the author looked for human help, but found none. In the next verse he will look for help from God, and find it. This may be difficult to bring out. Good News Translation does not, but it is an acceptable translation. New English Bible translates the two lines as one line, saying “I looked for human aid and there was none.”

Another approach for this verse is:

• My enemies surrounded me everywhere,
and there was no one to rescue me.
I looked for help and support,
but no one on earth would help me.

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.