Do not ridicule a man who is bitter in soul: The question here is how the phrase bitter in soul is to be understood. Good News Translation (also New English Bible) takes it to refer to a state of humiliation, presumably because that is the circumstance under which a mean-spirited person might be most likely to ridicule someone. However, the same phrase was used in 4.6 to refer to a desperate beggar. Since this verse follows immediately after the admonition to give alms, we suggest that a man who is bitter in soul refers to “someone who is poor,” “… is down and out,” “… is down on his luck.” Translators may, however, keep the idea of bitter by saying “Do not make fun of a person who is bitter from poverty [or, being poor].” Placing this verse in the same paragraph with verses 8-10 would also help. Good News Translation could express the idea better with a slight change: “Don’t laugh at someone who is humiliated.” This would suggest the man’s state; he is so poor (down and out) that he is bitter and humiliated. “Don’t laugh at someone who has been humiliated” suggests a reaction to something that has happened, and that is not really the point. Note that “someone” or “person” is better than man in this context.

For there is One who abases and exalts: Good News Translation‘s translation really makes no connection between this line and the previous one. This verse is a threat. An American Translation translates “For there is one who can humble and can exalt!” One refers of course to the Lord. Compare 2 Sam 22.28; Job 5.11; Psa 107.9; 147.6; Luke 1.51-53. Ben Sira means “there is someone—the Lord—who can easily humble you and raise you back up.” It is possible to put this line in the initial position in this verse as follows:

• The Lord can humble a person [or, take away a person’s success] as easily as he gave him success [or, made him prosper]. So do not laugh at [or, make fun of] a person who is humiliated [or, in poverty].

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.