Translators presenting this section as poetry would do well to put a space between verses 18 and 19, to indicate the development of a new idea. Those translating it as prose should put a paragraph break here.

Come to me, you who desire me is rendered “Come to me, all you that want me” by Good News Translation. This is Wisdom’s invitation for people to come to her and learn. Compare Pro 8.4-5.

And eat your fill of my produce: What Wisdom produces is, of course, the honor, distinction, and wealth spoken of in verses 16-17. If a word like “fruit” was used in verse 17, it could be repeated here to make the connection clear (so Good News Translation). In Pro 9.1-5 Wisdom prepares a feast and invites those who want to become wise to eat. Contemporary English Version has a helpful model for this line: “and enjoy my fruit until you are full.”

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.