This verse consists of a simple numerical proverb. For other examples of this form, see 23.16; 25.1-2, 7-11; 26.5-6; and 50.25-26.

At two things my heart is grieved is rendered “There are two things that make me sad” by Good News Translation.

And because of a third anger comes over me is translated “and a third that makes me angry” by Good News Translation. Since the two verbs in the first two lines of this verse have different meanings, Good News Translation does not combine the two lines into one.

A warrior in want through poverty: We suggest a textual change here. The other two items in this list of three involve clear contrasts: a wise man who gets no respect and a righteous man who sins. We would expect here a rich man who becomes poor. That is in fact what the Syriac says, and there is an easy explanation for the Greek. There is a Hebrew expression (ʾish chayil) which could be understood as “soldier” or as “rich man.” The translator probably misunderstood the expression. We suggest translating this line as “rich people who have become poor” or “when the rich become poor” (Contemporary English Version). If the text is changed in this way, a footnote is needed; for example, the following footnote could be used with the first model: “One ancient translation rich people; Greek soldiers.” (The Greek is actually singular and the line may be translated that way, but the plural sounds more natural in English.) Translators who choose not to make this change of text may use Good News Translation as a model.

And intelligent men who are treated contemptuously: Good News Translation is a good model here; but we may also say “intelligent people whom others do not respect.”

A man who turns back from righteousness to sin: Good News Translation keeps the subject here singular (“a righteous person”), but the Handbook thinks the plural is better. Translators may choose either, but we do suggest that all three of these lines be consistently singular or consistently plural. A possible alternative for this line is “those who do right start doing wrong” (Contemporary English Version) or “when good people start sinning.”

The Lord will prepare him for the sword!: Good News Translation shifts the focus here slightly. A better rendering is “The Lord has a violent death in store for such people [or, such a person],” “The Lord will punish such people with a violent death,” or even “The Lord will cause such people to die violently.” This line refers only to the righteous person turned sinner, and not to the people in the previous lines as well. Translators should make sure that their translation is clear on this point.

Another possible model for this verse is:

• When I see rich people who have become poor or intelligent people who are not respected, it makes me sad. But when I see righteous [or, good] people begin to sin, it makes me angry. The Lord has a violent death in store for people like that.

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.