Do not push forward, lest you be repulsed: The Greek verb translated push forward suggests a vigorous, almost violent, action, like a sports fan trying to get into a soccer match. Repulsed pictures resistance to that action, probably on the part of other people on the scene, or the powerful person mentioned in verse 9. Good News Translation continues with the mistaken picture of an invitation to a private home.) The following are possible models for this line: “Don’t go pushing your way forward, or you will get pushed back” and “If you push your way forward, that person may reject you.”

And do not remain at a distance, lest you be forgotten: The opposite will not accomplish your goal either. It’s all right for the person who called you to have to prod you into responding, but he’s not going to beg. A possible model here is “But don’t be too reluctant [or, act uninterested], or that person will forget all about you [or, ignore you].”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• If you push your way forward, that influential person may reject you. On the other hand, if you act as if you are not [really] interested, he will forget all about you.

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.