Whoever fears the Lord directs his friendship aright: Good News Translation has “A person who fears the Lord can make real friendships,” or we may say “… will have such loyal friends.”

For as he is, so is his neighbor also is literally “because according to him thus also his neighbor.” Both lines of this verse are difficult, but we believe that Good News Translation has correctly interpreted the second line: “because he will treat his friends as he does himself.” It is the person who gives the Lord due honor and service who is in a position to make real friendships, because he honors the Lord by following the direction given in Lev 19.18 (and quoted by Jesus in Matt 19.19 and Luke 10.27): “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Living like that makes you a true friend. You are directing your friendship in the right way.

The footnote in Good News Translation gives another way of understanding the second line of this verse. Those who serve and honor the Lord are in a position to make real friends, because they will choose as their own friends people who, like themselves, serve and honor the Lord. This is a defensible interpretation (taken by Contemporary English Version), but we think it less likely. Translators may include it in a footnote, as Good News Translation does, but that is not necessary.

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.