Better is the life of a poor man under the shelter of his roof than sumptuous food in another man’s house: Under the shelter of his roof is literally “under a shelter of heavy boards.” The intent is to describe poor living conditions; it does not even indicate a house, just a place to find some protection from the weather. Good News Translation says “under your own crude roof”; this is a good solution. The idea in this verse is that it is better to be poor but living on your own than to eat fine food in someone else’s house, and be dependent on and obligated to that person. An alternative model for this verse is:

• It is better to be poor and live in your own shack [or, hut/hovel] than to live with others and eat fine food.

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.