“When the father dies,
He will not seem to be dead.
Because he has left behind him
One like himself.
While alive
He was looked upon
With joy.
At death,
There is no grief.
He has left behind him
An avenger
Against his enemies.
He has left behind him
One to repay
The kindness of his friends.”
When the father dies, it will not seem like he died, since his son will be like him. Although there was rejoicing in life, there is no grief at death. His son will be an avenger of his enemies and be kind to his friends. Once again Sirach has this repeated theme of friends and enemies.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 