Of a transgression, before a judge or magistrate: Here transgression represents some wrongdoing for which you would be brought before a judge. Good News Translation “criminal behavior” is good. Judge and magistrate are two officials in English-speaking countries that have responsibility for legal judgment (a magistrate in minor cases). Good News Translation combines the two into “judge,” and nothing is lost. The word before in the first two lines seems to refer to actually standing before a judge or the leaders in a religious assembly. An alternative translation for this line is “When you are being judged, be ashamed of a crime you have committed” or “When you stand before a judge, be ashamed of a crime you have done.”

And of iniquity, before a congregation or the people: Here iniquity represents some wrongdoing for which you would be brought before an assembly, probably here a religious assembly. In contrast to the first line, “sinful behavior” would be appropriate here. A congregation or the people could be rendered “your religious community” or simply “the community.” We believe Good News Translation has missed the point in making this line a mere repetition of the first line in meaning. A possible alternative model is “When you are standing before a religious assembly, be ashamed of sinful behavior” or “Be ashamed when you have sinned and are brought before a religious assembly.”

Of unjust dealing, before your partner or friend: Good News Translation translates unjust dealing as “dishonesty,” which is good. We could also say “dishonest behavior” or even “cheating in business.” An alternative model for this line is “Be ashamed when you cheat business partners or friends.”

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.