Happy is the man who is protected from it, who has not been exposed to its anger: For the Greek word translated Happy, see the comments on 14.1. Good News Translation offers an appealing translation, but unfortunately it misses the point. Those who “have been spared the experience of having irresponsible talk directed against” them are not “lucky”; they have been protected from it by the Lord, because of their devotion to him. This does not become clear until verse 22, but it may be helpful to anticipate it here; for example, Happy is the man may be rendered “You have been blessed [or, You are fortunate].” See the model below.

Good News Translation combines who is protected from it with who has not been exposed to its anger by saying “if you have been spared the experience of having irresponsible talk directed against you.” Good News Translation again misses the point. Ben Sira is not speaking of someone who has never been the subject of vicious talk. Has there ever been such a person, devout or otherwise? He is speaking of the devout, who have not been exposed to its anger, that is, to its evil consequences. This is consistent with verse 21. The pronouns it and its refer to “the tongue” in verse 18, where vicious talk is in view. The second line of verse 19 means “who has been sheltered from the effects of vicious [or, cruel] talk.” The Lord is the one doing this action. So the first two lines of verse 19 may be rendered “If the Lord has sheltered [or, protected] you from the effects of vicious talk, you are fortunate.”

Who has not borne its yoke … and its fetters are fetters of bronze: Good News Translation combines the third line of verse 19 (who has not borne its yoke) with the first line of verse 20 (for its yoke is a yoke of iron). It also combines the last line of verse 19 (and has not been bound with its fetters) with the second line of verse 20 (and its fetters are fetters of bronze). For yoke see the comments on 6.30 and 26.7. Fetters are chains placed on the ankles of prisoners. The word was used in 6.24, 29; 21.19. See the comments there. Bronze, or brass, is somewhat surprising here, since it is a lighter metal and more easily cut than iron. Probably ben Sira simply wanted to name another metal to parallel iron in the first line of verse 20. Since chains are by definition made of hard metal, it is not necessary to name the metal if it presents a problem.

An alternative model for verses 19-20 is:

• If the Lord has sheltered [or, protected] you from the effects of vicious talk, you have been blessed [or, you are a fortunate person]. Such talk can weigh you down and keep you from moving. It’s like having an iron yoke on your neck, like having your ankles [or, feet] chained together.

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.