Never speak against the truth: When you do speak, though, you are not to argue against what is true and right. Contemporary English Version has a good model: “Don’t ever try to make the truth seem false.”

But be mindful of your ignorance: You may be wise, but “you do not know everything” (Good News Translation). Bear that in mind, the author warns. New English Bible says “but have a proper sense of your own ignorance.”

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.