Many rulers have been greatly disgraced: This means that many powerful people (not necessarily rulers, although that is possible) have fallen into dishonor, “have been stripped of their honours” (New English Bible), and like the kings in verse 5, have lost their positions of power.

And illustrious men have been handed over to others: This means that “famous people” (Good News Translation) have lost not only their power, but also their freedom. Have been handed over to others may be rendered “have found themselves at the mercy of others” (New English Bible), “have come under the control of others,” or even “have been captured [or, enslaved] by others.”

Since rulers and illustrious men refer to the same people, we may combine the two lines in this verse as follows:

• Many powerful people have not only been disgraced [or, lost their power] but have also been captured [or, enslaved] by others.

Good News Translation achieves a nice effect in verses 5-6 by repeating three times the phrase “Many are the….” It suggests history relentlessly repeating itself.

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.