Translating Tom Wright's „Everyone“ commentary on Romans is a lot of fun so far, but does have its pitfalls. There are a few basic technical terms where I haven't yet decided how to translate them. In some cases, there's a direct and commonly used translation in German that may have other connotations than Wright intends. Here's a few examples (some easier, some harder):

covenant justice – I normally translate “covenant” as “Bund”. However, “covenant” or “to covenant” can be used as verb or attribute as well. „Bundesgerechtigkeit“ seems to be the usual technical term, but at the moment I'm using “zugesicherte Gerechtigkeit”. I am not yet sure whether it would be good to use the concept of Bundesgerechtigkeit here.

declared to be in the right – This one seemed to be a bit more difficult in the beginning, but in the meantime I decided upon “zu denen erklärt, die im Recht sind”. In German, “im Recht” often carries the one connotation of being right in a discussion through having made a correct or right statement. However, I still consider that the best translation.

put to rights – Much harder. According to my own understanding, the connotations are both “right” in the sense of “Recht” (like in “in the right”), but also “put right”, meaning fixing or “in Ordnung bringen”. “Richten” is not so bad, but in most cases, this would immediately and only be understood as pronouncing a judgement (since the connotations of “etas richten” don't carry over as easily to “jemanden richten”). “Zu [ihrem] Recht bringen” only reflects the first connotation as well, “zurecht machen” won't work at all. For the moment, I've decided on “in Ordnung gebracht” – a good reason for that was the meaning of Ordnung as a basic created structure that is the best for something (i.e. once mankind has been “in Ordnung gebracht” by God, we can live in freedom in the way that God intended us to). Choosing the right translation is not made easier by the fact that it's a rather central concept and often used.

redemption (Romans 3:24) – “Erlösung” seems to be the obvious translation. However, that is a concept that is well known, but maybe dangerously abstract. It still might be a good translation, especially since the every day usage of “redeem” is rather similar to “einlösen” (and also “auslösen”) in German. In his commentary, Wright talks about buying back slaves from a slave market or an object from a pawnshop. The connotations here are both buying back as well as the freedom that is created through this action. Unfortunately, in German, “freikaufen” doesn't work so well as a noun.

anger and wrath (Romans 1:18) – Obviously, Wright had his reasons to use “anger” instead of “wrath” (he mentions that many older translations still put “wrath”). I understand “wrath” to have a more vengeful connotation than “anger” (a famous example would be John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath/Früchte des Zorns). In German, “Zorn” is commonly used as translation for “wrath”, and it doesn't usually carry the connotation of revenge. Instead of that, it is usually a more well-calculated, well thought out strong discontent with injustice or malevolent or evil behaviour. “Ärger” is not strong enough, and “Wut” carries a strong uncontrolled and emotional, maybe even unjustified, connotation – which might or might not be right for “anger”. Wright affirms that God's “anger” is passionate, but not ouf of control or arbitrary. So far, I used “Zorn” for “wrath”, and “Wut” for anger, even though “Zorn” seems to be the concept that I'm seeing in Wright's commentary. The main question is: Why does Wright use “anger” instead of “wrath”? I believe it is to avoid the connotations of revenge, which “Zorn” doesn't have in German.