Do not go after him, for he is too far off: Good News Translation shifts the focus here from metaphorical distance (he is too far off) to one of time (“It’s too late”), but the effect is the same. Translators should choose the way that is most natural in their own situation.

And has escaped like a gazelle from a snare: The animal here is a gazelle or antelope. Good News Translation translates “deer” since deer will be more familiar to most English-speaking readers. The point is that the animal is swift, and once released from a trap, will quickly run away. Good News Translation begins this line with “He is gone,” which is helpful; it emphasizes the previous statement “It’s too late.”

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.