A babbler is feared in his city, and the man who is reckless in speech will be hated: These two lines are closely parallel in meaning, and Good News Translation combines them easily by saying “Someone who speaks rashly [a babbler] and recklessly [is reckless in speech] is feared and hated by everyone in town [in his city].” Such a person is the opposite of the leader whose words are wise (verse 17). It is not said specifically, but a leader who speaks recklessly and rashly is intended here. A translator who makes this clear will only be expressing what is clearly implied from the context; for example, Contemporary English Version says:

• But loud, reckless leaders
are hated and feared.

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.