So too is every craftsman and master workman who labors by night as well as by day: The Greek word translated So too begins this verse as well as verses 28 and 29. Good News Translation translates it each time as “It is the same with.” The Greek words translated craftsman and master workman are related; “craftsman and master craftsman” would show the relation better. The first noun simply means “one who makes things.” The second noun means “one who is really good at making things.” An American Translation translates “craftsman and builder.” “Builder” in English suggests someone who puts up buildings. We could actually translate these terms “builder and architect” if the context allowed it. The question here is whether these two lines are talking specifically about the artists described in the rest of the verse, or whether they are a separate category. In Latin the artists appear in another relative clause, “who cuts signets…,” but in Greek a separate sentence begins with the artists. (The Hebrew is missing from this point through 39.15.) In our judgment the craftsman and master workman spoken of here refers to the same people as in the rest of the verse, and may be translated by terms describing people who do such work as making jewelry or other fine objects. Good News Translation chooses “artist and craftsman.” But in a number of languages something like “skilled workers” or “workers who make beautiful objects” will be more appropriate. For by night as well as by day, Good News Translation has “night and day.” In some languages “day and night” will be more natural.

Those who cut the signets of seals: For signets see the comments on 17.22. The reference here is to the artists who did the fine work of cutting the design into the signet ring’s stone used for the seal. The seal could be pressed into soft wax to show the owner’s mark. It was the equivalent of placing the owner’s signature on a document. Good News Translation “engraving precious stones” does not mention the actual signet ring or seal, but the author’s idea is still expressed. The point of this verse has to do with the care and time being expended, not with the actual objects produced. Another possible model is “carving designs on rings and precious stones.”

Each is diligent in making a great variety: Each person’s signet ring had to have a different design. Those who carved the designs had to come up with fresh new designs all the time. Good News Translation translates “carefully working out new designs.” Contemporary English Version has “making sure each design is different.”

He sets his heart on painting a lifelike image: Sets his heart is the same idiom as used in verse 26 (see the comments there). Good News Translation says “take great pains.” The Greek word translated painting is defined in the dictionaries as meaning just that, although the etymology would suggest that it could be used of any artistic endeavor that called for a lifelike image, whether in painting, sculpture, or carving precious stones. The grammar of the verse (which is awkward) would indicate that this line is still talking about those who carve signet rings. But it is difficult to see how a lifelike image would be found on something so small. Maybe painting a lifelike image means to produce a recognizable image. Contemporary English Version makes this clear with “leaves a perfect pattern when pressed in soft wax.”

And he is careful to finish his work: Is careful translates the same Greek word as in verse 26, and as there, we take it to refer to staying up late at night.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• So it is with craftsmen. They work with great care night and day carving designs on valuable rings and precious stones. They make sure that each design is different, and leaves a perfect pattern when pressed into soft wax. They will work far into the night to finish the work.

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.