Verse 6 repeats this verse in much the same language. It will be easily possible to combine the two verses; see the model below at the end of the comments on verse 6. Ben Sira is not simply being repetitious; he is being emphatic. He likes what he has said so much that he says it again, and translators should let him do it. Some translators will be able to do as Good News Translation has done—shorten verse 6 in such a way that it underscores verse 5 and does not simply repeat it.

A ruby seal in a setting of gold is a concert of music at a banquet of wine: The Greek noun translated ruby apparently referred to any dark red precious stone. New American Bible has “carnelian,” and New Jerusalem Bible says “amber.” Ruby is as good as any translation here, but another possibility is “beautiful red jewel [or, stone].” Seal refers to a stone carved with a design that identified its owner. It was often set in a ring. The author here is thinking of it set in gold without specifying the shape of the gold object. It is not necessary to represent the word seal. The point is that a jewel in a gold setting is shown off to best effect; the jewel and the gold enhance each other. In the same way music makes the wine taste better and wine makes the music more enjoyable. An alternative model for this verse is:

• Good wine and good music at a banquet are like a ruby set in gold [or, in a gold ring].

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.