He who peers through her windows will also listen at her doors: Some interpreters think this is the image of a young man peeping into a young woman’s house; others think it is the image of a spy. In either case, it is a difficult picture, but the point is that those who seek wisdom are determined to find it. Translators must try to be sure that their translation does not suggest the wisdom of improper behavior, such as spying on people. We suggest as a model: “They look into the windows of Wisdom’s house, and listen at the doors” or “They are so determined to find Wisdom that they look through the windows of her house and listen at the door.” For translators who cannot personify Wisdom, this verse will be difficult to translate. A possible model is:

• Wisdom is like a house, and those who seek to become wise peer through the windows or listen at the door.

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.