At the command of the Holy One they stand as ordered: This refers to the fact that the stars, the constellations, do not move about in relation to one another. Year after year the patterns are the same. Ben Sira pictures the Lord (the Holy One) assigning the stars these places, where they stay. Good News Translation renders this line well. We could also say “They stay where the Holy One has commanded them to stay.” For the Holy One, see 4.14. Holy in this context refers to the moral purity of God that separates him from sinful humans and other gods. Another way to express this line is “The Lord, who is holy [or, totally pure], gives the stars a command and they stay in the places he has assigned them.”

They never relax in their watches: This pictures the stars as a heavenly army, with soldiers standing watch. These soldiers—these stars—never leave their post, never let down their guard. Good News Translation speaks of a “dutiful watch” to build this in. We might also say “faithful in their duty, always in their place” or “They are always faithful in their duty, and always in their place.”

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.