Set your heart right and be steadfast: The two Greek verbs used here have a logical connection. The first verb means “set a straight course.” The image is of planning a journey and figuring out the best and quickest route. It will be used again in verse 6 with “your ways” as the object. The second verb then means “stay on that course.” Revised English Bible does well with this line: “Set a straight course and keep to it.” This is how we are to prepare ourselves, to get ourselves ready for the trials mentioned in verse 1: by making up our mind that we will be firm and determined. Many translations dispense with the imagery of the journey and say something like Good News Translation: “Be sincere and determined.” This works fairly well, although it might be better rendered “Be determined and sincere,” since determination and firmness are the dominant ideas in this line. This line states the basic theme of the section.

And do not be hasty in time of calamity: The author’s thinking for verses 1-2 is as follows: If you decide to serve the Lord, get ready for some tough times. Make up your mind ahead of time that you are going to be firm in your faithfulness. And when you are faced with trouble, don’t forget that determination and do something rash. New English Bible does well here: “and do not lose your head in time of disaster.” Calamity and “disaster” may be a bit strong; any type of adversity or hardship is meant. An American Translation expresses in time of calamity as a clause: “when things go against you.” For the whole line Contemporary English Version has “and don’t act too quickly if trouble strikes.” Good News Translation states it well in a positive form with “Keep calm when trouble comes.”

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.