A work will be praised for the skill of the craftsmen; so a people’s leader is proved wise by his words is literally “In the hand of craftsmen a work will be praised, and the leader of people wise in his word.” The comparison is actually between an object (a work of art) and a person (a leader). What makes the work of art notable and admired is the hand of the artist (the skill of the craftsmen). What makes a leader known for wisdom is his speech (his words). This is a difficult and somewhat awkward comparison. Most translators will find it easier to follow Good News Translation in comparing the two people involved: the “skilled worker” and the “leader.” Another way to express this is:

• Artists prove their skill in what they produce; leaders prove their wisdom in what they say.

The Greek noun translated craftsmen is plural, but translators may make it singular or plural, whichever best fits their needs. The word refers to a person who makes things that involve a skill of some kind. We may call the person an artist, a craftsman, a skilled worker, or whatever is appropriate. In ancient Israel a person who was a master of some technical skill such as metalworking or playing a musical instrument was said to possess wisdom of a special kind.

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.