Verses 1-3 advise against “contending” with influential people, rich people, or talkative people, because to do so is to make yourself vulnerable. If you try to use influence against an influential person, you will be out-influenced (verse 1). If you try to use wealth against a rich person, you will be outbid (verse 2). If you try to use words against a talker, you will be outtalked (verse 3). It is quite possible that the author is warning against lawsuits against such people.

Do not contend with a powerful man: Contend has the sense here of beginning a conflict with or of confronting someone; the word “challenge” (Good News Translation) in English is a good equivalent. Powerful here does not refer to physical strength, but to “influence” (Good News Translation); a powerful man is someone who has important personal and political connections that he can draw upon to reward friends and punish enemies. The word man in this context means “person.” This is also true in verses 2 and 5.

Lest you fall into his hands means “so that you may not come under his control.” It is only good sense not to challenge a person in power, or you may find yourself at his mercy. Other possible renderings are “you may fall into his power” (Good News Translation) and “he may get you under his control.”

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.