He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and change his expression: Good News Translation begins this verse with its last clause change his expression, saying “He will be a different person then.” Another way to render this is “He will then show what kind of a friend he is” or even “He will then show clearly that he is your enemy.” This means that once your enemy has you in his power, his whole attitude changes. He has no further need of pretense, of speaking kindly and shedding tears. Now he can shake his head. Translators need to find some cultural equivalent, some gesture indicating a person is gloating over the misfortune of someone else. In English shake his head pictures the person moving his head sideways, and would indicate pity for the unfortunate person, which is the wrong picture. Good News Translation translates “nodding his head.” This would picture the person moving his head up and down, indicating that the unfortunate person got what he deserved. This is better in English, but the appropriate gesture will vary from culture to culture. Now the enemy can also clap his hands. Again cultural factors are in play. In English clap his hands is not inappropriate, but Good News Translation “rubbing his hands” indicates an evil glee that is probably more appropriate. Now he can also whisper much, which Good News Translation correctly interprets as “spreading rumors.”

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.