Good News Translation
A person who is alive and well can sing the Lord's praises, but the dead, who no longer exist, have no way to give him thanks.

New Revised Standard Version
From the dead, as from one who does not exist, thanksgiving has ceased; those who are alive and well sing the Lord’s praises.

Contemporary English Version
they no longer exist and cannot offer thanks. But those who are alive and healthy can still sing praises to him.

New American Bible
The dead can no more give praise than those who have never lived; they who are alive and well glorify the Lord.

Douay-Rheims Bible
How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to them that turn to him !

How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to them that turn to him !

Sirach 17:26
Tarry not in the error of the ungodly, give glory before death. Praise perisheth from the dead as nothing.

Sirach 17:27
Give thanks whilst thou art living, whilst thou art alive and in health thou shalt give thanks, and shalt praise God, and shalt glory in his mercies.

Sirach 17:29
For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal, and they are delighted with the vanity of evil.

Sirach 17:30
What is brighter than the sun; yet it shall be eclipsed. Or what is more wicked than that which flesh and blood hath invented? and this shall be reproved.