A perverse mind will cause grief: The Greek adjective translated perverse is literally “twisted, contorted, misshapen.” When this adjective is applied to a mind, it does not describe a person who is actually insane, but one who schemes to get what he wants with no regard for morality or even courtesy. Such a person causes grief (or, sorrow/trouble) for other people. For this line Good News Translation has “A person with a warped mind causes trouble,” and Contemporary English Version says “People with twisted minds cause a lot of trouble.”

But a man of experience will pay him back: The meaning of this line is not clear. Most translations render it in such a way as to suggest that the man of experience will be clever enough to take revenge on whatever perverse mind has caused him grief. Perhaps it is not quite like that. Why should the ability to take revenge be attributed to a mature person, one with experience? (Compare 21.22; 34.9-10.) This is the kind of person who draws from experience in dealing with people in order to make a wise response to a situation. We suggest the following model for this line: “but in any situation someone with experience knows how to respond in the right way.” Compare Jer 17.9-10.

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.