Boasting About Tomorrow

13 Now listen,(A) you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”(B) 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.(C) 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will,(D) we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.(E) 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.(F)

Warning to Rich Oppressors

Now listen,(G) you rich people,(H) weep and wail(I) because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.(J) 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.(K) Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers(L) who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries(M) of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.(N) You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves(O) in the day of slaughter.[a](P) You have condemned and murdered(Q) the innocent one,(R) who was not opposing you.

Patience in Suffering

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

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

Footnotes

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

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