“If you have only one slave
Treat him like yourself!
You have bought him
With blood.
If you have only one slave,
Treat him like a brother!
You will need him,
As you need your life.
If you ill-treat him,
He may leave you.
He may run away.
Which way will you go
To seek him?”
Now there is a completely different tone, if you only have one slave. Here Sirach wants you to treat this one slave like yourself or as a brother. You bought him so that you need to make sure that your investment is worthwhile. You will need this one slave like you need a brother. He may save your life. If you do not treat him well, he may leave you. He may run away. Probably, you will not be able to find him.