Warning to Rich Oppressors

Now listen,(A) you rich people,(B) weep and wail(C) because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.(D) Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.(E) Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers(F) who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries(G) of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.(H) You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves(I) in the day of slaughter.[a](J) You have condemned and murdered(K) the innocent one,(L) who was not opposing you.

Patience in Suffering

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming.(M) See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting(N) for the autumn and spring rains.(O) You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming(P) is near.(Q) Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters,(R) or you will be judged. The Judge(S) is standing at the door!(T)

10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets(U) who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed(V) those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance(W) and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.(X) The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.(Y)

12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.(Z)

The Prayer of Faith

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.(AA) Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.(AB) 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders(AC) of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil(AD) in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith(AE) will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins(AF) to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.(AG) The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.(AH)

17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are.(AI) He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.(AJ) 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.(AK)

19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth(AL) and someone should bring that person back,(AM) 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save(AN) them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.(AO)

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Footnotes

  1. James 5:5 Or yourselves as in a day of feasting

10 For the sake of your servant David,
    do not reject your anointed one.

11 The Lord swore an oath to David,(A)
    a sure oath he will not revoke:
“One of your own descendants(B)
    I will place on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant(C)
    and the statutes I teach them,
then their sons will sit
    on your throne(D) for ever and ever.”

13 For the Lord has chosen Zion,(E)
    he has desired it for his dwelling,(F) saying,
14 “This is my resting place for ever and ever;(G)
    here I will sit enthroned,(H) for I have desired it.
15 I will bless her with abundant provisions;
    her poor I will satisfy with food.(I)
16 I will clothe her priests(J) with salvation,
    and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.(K)

17 “Here I will make a horn[a] grow(L) for David
    and set up a lamp(M) for my anointed one.(N)
18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,(O)
    but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.”(P)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 132:17 Horn here symbolizes strong one, that is, king.

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