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Patience in Suffering

So be patient, brothers and sisters,[a] until the Lord’s return.[b] Think of how the farmer waits[c] for the precious fruit of the ground and is patient[d] for it until it receives the early and late rains. You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near. Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters,[e] so that you may not be judged. See, the judge stands before the gates![f] 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters,[g] take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name. 11 Think of how we regard[h] as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and you have seen the Lord’s purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.[i]

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Footnotes

  1. James 5:7 tn Grk “brothers”; this phrase occurs again three times in the paragraph. See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.
  2. James 5:7 tn Or “advent”; or “coming” (also in v. 8).
  3. James 5:7 tn Grk “Behold! The farmer waits.”
  4. James 5:7 tn Grk “being patient.”
  5. James 5:9 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.
  6. James 5:9 sn The term gates is used metaphorically here. The physical referent would be the entrances to the city, but the author uses the term to emphasize the imminence of the judge’s approach.
  7. James 5:10 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.
  8. James 5:11 tn Grk “Behold! We regard…”
  9. James 5:11 sn An allusion to Exod 34:6; Neh 9:17; Pss 86:15; 102:13; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2.

Exhortation to Patience

Therefore be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil, being patient concerning it until it receives the early and late rains. You also be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is near. Brothers, do not complain against one another, in order that you may not be judged. Behold, the judge stands before the doors! 10 Brothers, take as an example of perseverance and endurance the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider blessed those who have endured. You have heard about the patient endurance of Job, and you saw the outcome from the Lord, that the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

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