Amuse yourself there, and do what you have in mind, but do not sin through proud speech: There refers to your home. The problem here is that the logical connection of the two lines is not clear. In the first line the partygoer is at home, free from the restraints of etiquette, able to do as he wishes. But the second line seems to picture him at the banquet again; how will he sin through proud speech at home? New English Bible suggests one possible way to approach this problem by rendering this verse as follows: “There you may amuse yourself to your heart’s content, and run no risk of arrogant talk.” According to this rendering, you are home where you are in no danger of the sin of bragging. The Greek doesn’t quite seem to say this, however. Good News Translation has another approach: “There you can enjoy yourself as you wish, but don’t commit the sin of bragging.” We believe this makes sense. At home you are indeed freer to do as you wish than you are at a social gathering, but you may be tempted to brag to people at home (family, servants, guests) about being at such a grand dinner with such important people and such good food. This would be proud speech. An alternative model that follows Good News Translation is:

• At home you can enjoy yourself [or, have fun] and do as you wish, but even there don’t commit the sin of bragging [or, sin by speaking arrogantly].

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.