This verse consists of six lines arranged in three pairs. Good News Translation puts the second pair first. This is recommended, because the enemy’s offense seems then to progress from trying to take your place at a meal to actually overthrowing you. Good News Translation‘s reordering is certainly not necessary, but if translators find it helpful they should follow it. The following comments follow the order of Revised Standard Version only to keep the discussion simple.
Do not put him next to you, lest he overthrow you and take your place: Do not put him next to you is literally “Do not stand him next to you.” Standing your enemy beside you means taking him into your confidence, treating him as a friend and as an equal; it implies letting down your guard. If you do this with an enemy or false friend, the next thing you know you will be discredited, put to shame, and he will be standing there in your place. Possible alternative models for these two lines are “Don’t let an enemy stand next to you or he will push you aside and take your place” and “Don’t treat an enemy as your equal or he will overthrow you and take your place.”
Do not have him sit at your right, lest he try to take your seat of honor: The imagery here is that of a banquet or some other formal occasion, where the host has the seat of honor, but where the most honored guest is seated at the host’s right. If you honor an enemy like this, he will not be satisfied until he has your own place. Good News Translation‘s model is a good one to follow.
And at last you will realize the truth of my words, and be stung by what I have said is literally “And at last you will appreciate my words, and be stung at my words.” This may be rendered “When that happens [you are overthrown by an enemy you trusted], you will realize just how true these words of mine are, and when you remember them, you will bitterly regret not paying attention.” In his comments on this verse, Di Lella (1987; page 248) quotes Benjamin Franklin: “Experience keeps a dear [expensive] school, but fools will learn in no other.”
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.