For as a servant who is continually examined under torture will not lack bruises: The servant spoken of here is a house servant. He is probably, but not necessarily, a “slave” (Good News Translation), but he does not work in the fields. The Greek verb translated examined under torture is difficult to understand here. It refers to intensive questioning, most likely with force involved. Compare Acts 22.24, where a closely related verb is used, and where the picture is clearer. Good News Translation “beaten” avoids the difficulties, and gets quickly to the point.

So also the man who always swears and utters the Name will not be cleansed from sin: Instead of the Name, Good News Translation uses “the Holy Name” since the previous verse made it clear that the reference is to God’s name. Once again, however, if it will not be clear to the intended audience that the Name refers to God, these two lines may be rendered “someone who is always swearing [making promises] and using the Lord’s name will never be free of sin.” To be cleansed from sin (Good News Translation “be free of sin”) means to be forgiven by God.

Good News Translation has a nice echo effect in this verse by saying “never be free of bruises … never be free of sin.” It is not that obvious in Greek, but it helps convey the point of the comparison here.

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.