fornication, sexual immorality

The Greek that is translated as “sexual immorality” or “fornication” or similar is translated much more specifically in some languages. Morelos Nahuatl has “let a man not yield himself to another woman except only to his wife. Also let a woman not yield herself to another man except only to her husband” or in Lalana Chinantec as “not proper for them to mix themselves with other women. The same is true of women for other men also.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

In Low German as Hurenkram or “things related to prostitution (and/or sleeping around)” (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1933, republ. 2006) and in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) typically as Sexgier or “sex cravings” (exceptions: Acts 15:10 and 15:29).

See also sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery and adulterous and sinful generation.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Sexual Immorality (Word Study) .

Translation commentary on Sirach 42:8

Do not be ashamed to instruct the stupid or foolish is literally “Concerning instruction of the stupid and foolish.” Do not be ashamed is supplied by Revised Standard Version. Good News Translation expresses it as “Don’t hesitate.” In English “someone who is acting foolishly” (Good News Translation) is a more polite expression than the stupid or foolish.

Or the aged man who quarrels with the young: There is a textual problem here. Good News Translation “or an old man who goes around with prostitutes” translates other Greek manuscripts. The Hebrew shows that these manuscripts and Good News Translation are probably correct. The text read by Good News Translation literally says “and an old man engaged in [sexual] immorality.”

Then you will be truly instructed, and will be approved before all men: This is a summary statement (compare 41.23b). Good News Translation is not exactly on target. A better rendering is “If you do these things, it will show that you have been well brought up [or, raised properly], and everyone will approve of your behavior.”

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.