Woe to the faint heart, for it has no trust!: The word faint here translates the same Greek word rendered “slack” in the previous verse, with reference there to “hands.” The reference seems to be to people who ignore or pay little attention to religious or spiritual matters, rather than to “those who lose their courage” (Good News Translation) or who “are too afraid” (Contemporary English Version). Those who neglect their spiritual nature have no trust, or better, “no faith,” no real commitment to the Lord or willingness to rely on him. This line may be restructured as follows: “The Lord will cause you to receive trouble, if you are unwilling to put your trust in him.”

Therefore it will not be sheltered: According to verse 10, it is the faithful, those who have due reverence for God, who find his protection. Therefore those who are neglectful of their duty to God, who have no faith, do not have God’s protection. This line may be rendered in the active voice; for example, “He [the Lord] will not protect you.”

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.