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Patience and Endurance

Dear brothers and sisters,[a] be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.

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Footnotes

  1. 5:7 Greek brothers; also in 5:9, 10, 12, 19.

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.