A seal of emerald in a rich setting of gold is the melody of music with good wine: An emerald is a green jewel. Rich setting translates a Greek noun denoting an object that has been made with care.

The following model combines verses 5 and 6, but preserves the emphasis while seeking to clarify the meaning:

• When music is played at a banquet where wine is served, the music makes the wine taste better and the wine makes the music more enjoyable. They are like jewels set in gold rings. The jewels make the gold more beautiful and the gold makes the jewels shine more brightly.

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.