Slander has shaken many: As the Revised Standard Version footnote indicates, the Greek begins literally with “A third tongue.” On the basis of a rabbinic parallel text, this expression is often taken to refer to Slander. One thing to notice is that, at least in Greek (no Hebrew exists of this passage), there is an obvious connection between the “double-tongued” person of verse 13 and this “third tongue.” Some scholars think, and Good News Translation seems to agree, that the “third tongue” refers to a person who interferes in the affairs of two other people, a meddler. Slander might well be the method of interference, but not necessarily. Clearly it refers to some sort of talk (it refers to the “tongue”). If what a person says has the effects described in verses 14-16, that talk is probably slanderous. We think that Slander is a safer interpretation than “meddling.” Revised English Bible has a good translation with “A third party’s talk.”

And scattered them from nation to nation: Good News Translation says “and have been driven from their homes.” It would be more accurate to say “and have been driven from their native lands.” Contemporary English Version is also good with “and forced many others to leave home and country.” Good News Translation is wordy for the first two lines of this verse since it restructures them by referring to the meddling speech after its two effects. The original order reflected in Revised Standard Version will be simpler to follow (see the model below).

And destroyed strong cities, and overturned the houses of great men: Destroyed and overturned are translated in Good News Translation with the one noun “destruction.” Houses here refers to actual buildings where people live.

Possible alternative approaches to this verse are:

• Slander has ruined the lives of many people, and forced them to leave their native lands. It has destroyed strong cities and the homes of respected people.

• Lies that people have told about others have ruined the lives … They have destroyed strong cities….

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.