Among stupid people watch for a chance to leave: Watch for a chance is literally “watch the moment.” This could mean “be on guard,” but the contrast with the next line would indicate that Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation interpret the idiom properly. For this line New English Bible has “Grudge every minute spent among fools.” An alternative model is “When you happen to be in the company of fools [or, stupid people], leave as soon as you can.” Contemporary English Version‘s model is also possible: “Don’t waste your time listening to stupid people.”

But among thoughtful people stay on: Thoughtful people does not refer to people who are considerate but to people who are sensible, who are “serious-minded” (Good News Translation) or “who know how to think” (Contemporary English Version). Stay on may be rendered “stay as long as you can” (Good News Translation) or “spend as much time with them as possible.”

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.