Deliver him who is wronged from the hand of the wrongdoer: In Greek the words denoting the oppressor (the wrongdoer) and the oppressed one (him who is wronged) are forms of the same root. The verb Deliver implies that the wrong has already been committed and the person wronged needs rescue rather than protection from a wrong about to be committed, as Good News Translation suggests. Both of these are subtle points. What ben Sira seems to have in mind in this verse is a controversy involving oppression that is brought before the elders of the community for judgment. A modern equivalent in some countries would be a case brought to a jury. Ben Sira pictures his reader as being in a position at times to render such judgment. On those occasions, one with wisdom will save (or, protect/rescue) the injured person from the claims of the one doing the wrong. Good News Translation‘s model may be modified slightly: “Protect [or, Rescue] people from those who treat them unjustly.”

And do not be fainthearted in judging a case: This refers to the same situation. It means just what Good News Translation says: “and be firm in your judgments.” Or we may say “have the courage to judge correctly [or, to make the correct decisions].”

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.