1:27

Notice that the New International Version retains the parallel parts that are similar in meaning in the Hebrew:

27a when calamity overtakes you like a storm, (New International Version)

27b when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, (New International Version)

27c when distress and trouble overwhelm you. (New International Version)

1:27a–c

(New International Version) overtakes you…sweeps over you…overwhelm you: The word translated here (and in 1:26b) as overtakes and overwhelm is literally “come.” The word translated as sweeps over is a close synonym that also means “come” or “arrive.” In Hebrew, repetition of this nature emphasizes the certainty of the coming judgment. In English, it is more effective to use different verbs that express more picturesquely the effects of a storm. You will need to decide what is effective in your language.

(New International Version) like a storm…like a whirlwind: Both storm and whirlwind refer to storms that cause severe destruction. If whirlwinds are not known in your language area, you may:

• Use a descriptive term. For example:

violent wind storm

• Use a word in your language for a similar storm that occurs in your area. For example:

typhoon
-or-
hurricane
-or-
sandstorm
-or-
cyclone

(New International Version) distress…trouble: The words that the New International Version translates as distress and trouble may refer to difficulties that surround or press in on someone. They may also refer to the resulting emotions of fear or misery that a person in such difficulties experiences. Some other ways to translate these words are:

when ordeal and anguish bear down on you (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
when…you are in pain and misery (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 1:26a–b and 1:27a–c

In some languages, it may be necessary to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts in both of these verses to avoid redundancy, as the Contemporary English Version has done:

So when you are struck by some terrible disaster,

or when trouble and distress surround you like a whirlwind,

I will laugh and make fun. (Contemporary English Version)

The Contemporary English Version also moves the main consequence “I will laugh and make fun” to the end of 1:27. You will need to consider if it is natural to do this in your language.

Remember that whenever you combine and/or reorder parallel parts in order to avoid unacceptable redundancy, you must be careful not to lose the emphasis that the original repetition may have conveyed. In Hebrew, the repetition of these five parallel lines emphasizes that the fools described in 1:22 will certainly be destroyed.

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