Verse 21 and the first two lines of verse 22 are closely parallel, and Good News Translation has combined them. (Note that Even in verse 21 and the two occurrences of your in verse 22a do not correspond to anything in Greek; Revised Standard Version adds them.) This is not necessary at all, but some translators may find it helpful. We recommend it. The following comparison of verse 21 with verse 22a shows the parallels:

1 drawn your sword — opened your mouth
2 do not despair — do not worry
3 renewal of friendship — reconciliation

Good News Translation combines the words marked 1 by saying “Even if you have a violent argument [drawn your sword] with a friend, and speak sharply [opened your mouth].” Good News Translation is probably correct to interpret drawn your sword as an overstatement rather than as anything literal. The words marked 2 are combined as “all is not lost.” Many translators will find combining the two as “do not worry” a better model. The words marked 3 are combined as “You can still make up with him.”

An alternative model combining verses 21 and 22a is:

• If you have a furious argument with a friend, and say harsh things, do not give up on your friendship. There is still a chance you can be friends again.

But as for reviling, arrogance, disclosure of secrets, or a treacherous blow—in these cases any friend will flee: Good News Translation‘s word order here makes this sentence easier to follow. Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version expand the nouns/noun phrases reviling, arrogance, disclosure of secrets, and a treacherous blow to clauses, which makes the sentence clearer, although longer. In Good News Translation reviling becomes “if you insult him” (similarly Contemporary English Version). Arrogance becomes “if you are arrogant” (also Contemporary English Version). Disclosure of secrets becomes “if you reveal his secrets” (Contemporary English Version “if you tell their secrets”). A treacherous blow becomes “if you turn on him unexpectedly” (Contemporary English Version “harm them when they trusted you”). As in the case with drawn your sword above, Good News Translation is probably correct in interpreting this figuratively, rather than literally. To turn on a person means to become an opponent of someone with whom you have been on good terms.

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.