When a powerful man invites you, be reserved; and he will invite you the more often: The word man has the sense of “person.” Both Good News Translation and Revised Standard Version misunderstand the situation here. Both are misled by the Greek verb rendered invites/ invite. That verb does not imply an invitation to one’s home. Much more likely we are to envision a street scene or some other public occasion. A man of influence calls your name and asks you to step forward. The Greek verb has the meaning of “summon” in a commanding sense more than “invite” in a social sense. So When a powerful man invites you may be rendered “When an important [or, influential] person summons [or, calls] you before him.” How should you react to such a summons? It is an honor to be singled out in this way. Ben Sira gives advice in these verses, and the advice is such that it gives the person summoned a measure of control and initiative in the personal interaction. Be reserved means to be modest and hesitant. The more often misses the point, which is that if you are properly and modestly hesitant to go meet this important person, that person will have to insist “the more strongly” (not “more often” as in (Good News Translation). This puts you in the position of forcing the important person to do what you want, and also in the position of calling more attention to the honor of being called in the first place. The trick is not to overdo it. Ben Sira will talk about that in the next verse.

The following will serve as a model for this verse:

• When an important person asks to see you, don’t respond too quickly. This will force him to ask even more insistently.

It is important that the verbs chosen by the translator here not show hostility or impatience on the part of the important person, nor show him begging. The goal of the person summoned is to elicit respect and favor on the part of the person of influence, and admiration on the part of any other people present.

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.