An enemy will speak sweetly with his lips: Of course the enemy speaks with his lips (or, mouth/tongue), but there is a contrast here with in his mind (literally “in his heart”) in the next line. The enemy is saying one thing while thinking another. Good News Translation “He will speak fine words” prepares us for the contrast without having to say with his lips, a phrase that sounds strange in English. The word “fine” is intended ironically, of course; the enemy’s words are fine sounding, but are actually deceitful.

But in his mind he will plan to throw you into a pit: Throwing you into a pit is a figure of speech for trapping you. Your enemy is trying to figure out how to destroy you while he speaks so sweetly. Good News Translation‘s translation of the first two lines of this verse is forthright and economical. However, it is also possible to express the idea of “trap” nonfiguratively in this line; for example, “while he plots [or, makes plans] to destroy you.”

An enemy will weep with his eyes: This line obviously parallels the first line of the verse. Of course the enemy weeps with his eyes, which is parallel with with his lips, and again there is a contrast, here implied, with in his mind. Good News Translation‘s translation “He will pretend to share your sorrows” is well done. Just as the enemy speaks hypocritically in the first line, here he sheds hypocritical tears.

But if he finds an opportunity his thirst for blood will be insatiable: Good News Translation “he will kill you” seems a weak rendering for the figurative expression his thirst for blood will be insatiable, but it gains strength by being understated. Perhaps “he will not hesitate to kill you” would be a bit better. This is the meaning of this expression.

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.