If you have a wife who pleases you, do not cast her out: Although Revised Standard Version begins this verse in a different form than that used in verses 22, 23 and 24, it is really the same in Greek. It begins with the fourth question in the series (see the comments on verse 22). Revised Standard Version‘s footnote advises that the Hebrew and Syriac simply say “If you have a wife, do not cast her out.” Actually the Hebrew says “If you have a wife, do not reject her,” which could mean casting her out by divorcing her. Another possible meaning of the Hebrew is given by New American Bible, which says “If you have a wife, let her not seem odious to you.” Translators are advised to follow the Greek and not worry about Revised Standard Version‘s footnote.

But do not trust yourself to one whom you detest: This line strikes us as peculiar. In the first line the author seems to be saying “If you like your wife, don’t divorce her.” That should go without saying. Here he goes on to say “but if you don’t like her [literally “hate her”], don’t trust her.” The implication is that you should divorce her then. This amounts to saying, “Keep her as long as she is profitable,” which is exactly what the author said about cattle at the beginning of this little group of verses in 22. Translators, however, should simply say “but if you don’t love her, don’t trust her.”

Good News Translation offers a good model for this verse, and Contemporary English Version is also helpful:

• Don’t divorce your wife
if she pleases you,
but if you can’t stand her,
then don’t trust her.

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.