He who obeys her will judge the nations: To obey Wisdom is to learn her lessons, to do what Wisdom teaches—to do the wise and right thing. To say that wise people will judge (or, rule) nations is something of an overstatement, to be sure, but the idea is found in Wisdom literature; compare Wis 3.8. The Greek (but not the Hebrew) of Pro 29.9a says in simple words: “A wise man will judge nations.” Compare also 1 Cor 6.2; Rev 20.4.

Good News Translation appeals to the Hebrew of the first line, and reads “Those who obey her will give sound judgments.” It is very easy to see how the Hebrew word for “judgment [or, truth]” could have been read as a word meaning “nations.” But there is more involved in the Hebrew than that word. In Hebrew there is also an abrupt change into the first person, so that Wisdom herself is speaking: “He who obeys me will give sound judgments.” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible and Revised English Bible join Good News Translation in going with the Hebrew here, but most significantly, New American Bible and Shekan do not—and they usually give precedence to the Hebrew. We recommend that translators stay with the Greek (followed by Revised Standard Version), with no footnote. An alternative model is “Those who follow the Lord’s commands [or, walk along the Lord’s paths] will even rule over nations.”

And whoever gives heed to her will dwell secure: Gives heed to means “pay attention to, concentrate on.” The verb dwell has the meaning of settling down to live in a place. The Greek word (a verb form) translated secure has more of the meaning of “confidence.” It is not so much the idea of safety from an external danger as an internal attitude of assurance. Alternative renderings for this line are “Those who pay attention to Wisdom can live [or, rest] in confidence,” “Those who strive to gain wisdom [or, to become wise] will have confidence in their hearts,” and “Those who strive to walk along the Lord’s paths will….”

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.