A loud-voiced and garrulous wife is regarded as a war trumpet for putting the enemy to flight, and every person like this lives in the anarchy of war is literally “A loud-mouthed and talkative woman will be thought of as a war trumpet calling for an attack, and everyone whose life is like this will live in the confusion of war.” “Everyone whose life is like this” probably means “any man who is put to flight by such things,” that is, “any man who gives in to such a woman.” Revised Standard Version interprets the second line to refer to the woman, not the man. This is marginally possible, but we think it is highly unlikely. The idea is that the loud-mouthed woman, like a military bugler, sounds “Charge!” and if the husband does not stand up to her and stop such behavior, if he retreats before her charge, she will pursue her advantage and press the attack; his whole life will be spent in the war that she opened with her call for battle. An alternative model for this verse is:

• A loud-mouthed, talkative woman is like a trumpet sounding the signal for attack. If a man gives in to such a woman, he will live his life in the confusion [or, turmoil] of battle.

For garrulous see the comments on 25.20. In cultures where “trumpets” are unknown, translators may use a similar instrument found in their culture. A picture of a trumpet may also be provided, along with a note in the glossary. The author has in mind here a trumpet made of metal, not a ram’s horn.

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.