Do not quarrel with a rich man, lest his resources outweigh yours: The meaning of Revised Standard Version‘s second line is not clear. The imagery in this line is that of the balance scales, where the rich can put more onto their side of the balance and tip the scale against you. Good News Translation advises not to quarrel with rich people because they may use their wealth to buy favor (“bribe people to turn against you”). New American Bible is similar with “lest he pay out the price of your downfall.” The first two lines of this verse could be translated “Do not quarrel with rich people; they can use their money against you.”

For gold has ruined many, and has perverted the minds of kings: This verse is talking about the perversion of justice by bribery. When ben Sira says that gold has ruined many, he is talking not about those who possess the gold, but about those whom the gold has been used against. A possible alternative model for the third line of this verse is “For rich people have used their gold [or, money] to destroy many people.” Kings are in a position where they must render judgments; ben Sira says even kings are influenced by money, which has perverted the minds of kings (Good News Translation “corrupted kings”). Perhaps a clearer rendering of the last two lines of this verse is “Rich people have used gold [or, money] to destroy many people; it has influenced even kings to treat people unfairly.”

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.