Of accuracy with scales and weights: Some merchants might think it foolish not to cheat the customer when they can, but “using accurate weights and measures” (Good News Translation) is nothing to be ashamed of. Contemporary English Version is quite clear with “if you have accurate scales for weighing what you buy and sell.” For scales see 6.15.

And of acquiring much or little: As Good News Translation puts it, there is nothing wrong with “making a profit, whether great or small.” (Note that this is the first line of verse 5 in Good News Translation, but the last line of verse 4 in Revised Standard Version.)

Of profit from dealing with merchants: This means “getting a good deal when you buy something.” Good News Translation says “bargaining with a merchant.”

And of much discipline of children may be rendered “punishing your children when they need it” or even “giving your children strict discipline.”

And of whipping a wicked servant severely: Revised Standard Version cannot bring itself to say what the Greek actually says here, and gives the real sense in a footnote. Good News Translation is offensively blunt but accurate: “beating a disloyal slave until the blood flows.” Contemporary English Version is similar with “if your slaves do wrong, and you whip them until they bleed.” Translators should take to heart ben Sira’s teaching here: saying what the text actually says is nothing to be ashamed of, even if you don’t like it. Compare 33.24.

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.