10:25

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

25a When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more,

25b but the righteous are secure forever.

This verse contrasts the different ways in which the storms of life affect the wicked and the righteous.

10:25a

When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more: The word whirlwind often refers literally to a destructive wind storm, such as a hurricane or cyclone. Here it is used figuratively. It refers to any sudden and destructive event that may happen to people, including war and disease.

passes: For this verb, you may use any term that applies to a storm that strikes or passes through an area. English versions have used a variety of expressions. For example:

When the storm is over (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
when a storm strikes (Contemporary English Version)

Some ways to translate this metaphor are:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

A storm will blow the evil person away (New Century Version)

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

Disaster strikes like a cyclone, whirling the wicked away (New Living Translation (1996))

are no more: In Hebrew, this phrase indicates that the wicked will no longer exist. They will be destroyed.

10:25b

but the righteous are secure forever: In Hebrew, this line is literally “but the righteous is a foundation forever.” This is a metaphor. It compares a righteous person to the firm foundation of a building that a storm cannot destroy.

The foundation remains undamaged. In the same way, a righteous person is able to endure hardship because of his permanent relationship with the LORD.

Most English versions do not use the figure of a foundation. For example:

but God will keep safe all who obey him (Contemporary English Version)

But if a foundation implies stability and permanence in your language, try to keep the figure. You may be able to use a simile. For example:

but those who are righteous are like a foundation that remains forever

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