She will exalt him above his neighbors: When Wisdom exalts someone, she causes him to be honored, in this case, more honored than his neighbors. Above here means “more than.” Neighbors probably means “friends and acquaintances” here, but taking it in the sense of people living nearby is not wrong. The idea of “all” neighbors in Good News Translation should not be added since it is not in the original text. Another possible model for this line is “Being wise [or, Having wisdom] will cause you to receive more honor [or, face] than your neighbors.”

And will open his mouth in the midst of the assembly: The picture of Wisdom opening someone’s mouth means that Wisdom gives that person words, that the person will speak wisely. Will open his mouth is translated “will give you the right words” in Good News Translation. Contemporary English Version says “will tell you what to say.” The Greek word rendered assembly probably refers here to any public forum (or, town meeting), not necessarily a religious meeting. Compare the use of this term in Acts 19.32. (This is not the word translated “congregation” or “synagogue” in 1.30. It is used here for the first time in the book.) Skill in public speaking was thought to be one of the marks of wisdom in Israel. Compare 21.17.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Having wisdom will cause you to receive more honor than your neighbors. It will help you to know what to say in town meetings.

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.