Whoever accumulates by depriving himself, accumulates for others: The author is anticipating his argument in verse 15, which is “If you do not make use of your wealth, somebody else will after you die.”

And others will live in luxury on his goods: Whoever inherits your property after you die will not hesitate to spend it. You have denied yourself pleasure and only made life easier for someone else.

Good News Translation recasts this verse and the following one in the second person. An alternative model for this verse is:

• If you don’t make use of your wealth, somebody else will spend it after you die. For whoever inherits your money will use it to live in luxury.

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.