How shall we magnify Zerubbabel?: In some languages a rhetorical question may be kept here; for example, Contemporary English Version has “What is the best way to praise Zerubbabel?” In other languages, however, a statement will be more natural style; for example, “Zerubbabel cannot be praised too highly.”

He was like a signet on the right hand: For signet see the comments on 17.22. The ring was presumably on the Lord’s right hand (so Good News Translation); see Hag 2.23.

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.