In his days the sun went backward, and he lengthened the life of the king: See 2 Kgs 20.5-11; Isa 38.1-8. In his days refers to the time of Isaiah’s prophetic ministry. For the first line Good News Translation simply says “He made the sun move backward,” which is only a slight shift of focus. Contemporary English Version has “One time, Isaiah caused the sun to move backward.” And he lengthened the life of the king may be rendered “He caused the king to live longer.”

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.