There is one who keeps silent because he has no answer: The Greek here certainly suggests that this person has no response to something said to him, that is, an answer, but Good News Translation‘s interpretation (also New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible) is also possible and certainly clearer to the reader: “Some people keep quiet because they don’t have anything to say.” Contemporary English Version is also clear with “Their silence may just mean they have nothing to say.” This person is not necessarily being criticized, or thought of as ignorant; after all, he knows that if he has nothing to say he shouldn’t be talking.

While another keeps silent because he knows when to speak is literally “and there is one who keeps silent because he knows the [right] time [to speak].” The Greek word, meaning “right time,” will appear in both lines of verse 7. This line can easily be combined with the next line; see the model on the next verse.

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.