Most translations and commentaries place these three verses with the next section, but we agree with Snaith that they make more sense as a conclusion to the section on seeking advice. Here we are told that there may be consultation and discussion before any action, but anything the human mind deals with can be boiled down to four fundamental issues: good and evil, life and death. But no matter what is thought about in the mind, it is what is actually done—spoken—that counts.

• Before you begin a project, plan very carefully and get advice.

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.