If you are seated among many persons: Good News Translation does not mention being seated, but “If there are many people present” says what needs to be said.

Do not reach out your hand before they do: Good News Translation “don’t try to be the first to be served” gives the wrong picture. People served themselves by reaching for the food. “Don’t be the first to reach for the food” is better. New Jerusalem Bible is good with “do not help yourself before the others do.” In other words, you should not be the first to start eating, but should be the first to stop.

Translators may want to consider reversing verses 17 and 18 in some such way as this:

• If there are many people present, don’t be the first to reach for the food. But be the first to stop eating. That shows good manners. It’s offensive to keep stuffing yourself.

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.