James 1:11
New Living Translation
11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
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James 1:11
New International Version
11 For the sun rises with scorching heat(A) and withers(B) the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.(C) In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
Isaiah 40:7-8
New Living Translation
7 The grass withers and the flowers fade
beneath the breath of the Lord.
And so it is with people.
8 The grass withers and the flowers fade,
but the word of our God stands forever.”
Psalm 37:35-36
New Living Translation
35 I have seen wicked and ruthless people
flourishing like a tree in its native soil.
36 But when I looked again, they were gone!
Though I searched for them, I could not find them!
Psalm 37:35-36
New International Version
Luke 16:19-25
New Living Translation
Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet.[a] The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and he went to the place of the dead.[b] There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.
24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’
25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.
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Luke 16:19-25
New International Version
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.(A) 20 At his gate was laid a beggar(B) named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table.(C) Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham,(D) have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’(E)
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things,(F) but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.(G)
Mark 4:6
New Living Translation
6 But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died.
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Mark 4:6
New International Version
6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
James 5:1-7
New Living Translation
Warning to the Rich
5 Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. 2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. 4 For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
5 You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and killed innocent people,[a] who do not resist you.[b]
Patience and Endurance
7 Dear brothers and sisters,[c] 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.
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James 5:1-7
New International Version
Warning to Rich Oppressors
5 Now listen,(A) you rich people,(B) weep and wail(C) because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.(D) 3 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) 4 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) 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves(I) in the day of slaughter.[a](J) 6 You have condemned and murdered(K) the innocent one,(L) who was not opposing you.
Patience in Suffering
7 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)
Footnotes
- James 5:5 Or yourselves as in a day of feasting
Luke 12:16-21
New Living Translation
16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
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Luke 12:16-21
New International Version
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool!(A) This very night your life will be demanded from you.(B) Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’(C)
21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”(D)
Matthew 13:6
New Living Translation
6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died.
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Matthew 13:6
New International Version
6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
Psalm 49:6-14
New Living Translation
6 They trust in their wealth
and boast of great riches.
7 Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death[a]
by paying a ransom to God.
8 Redemption does not come so easily,
for no one can ever pay enough
9 to live forever
and never see the grave.
10 Those who are wise must finally die,
just like the foolish and senseless,
leaving all their wealth behind.
11 The grave[b] is their eternal home,
where they will stay forever.
They may name their estates after themselves,
12 but their fame will not last.
They will die, just like animals.
13 This is the fate of fools,
though they are remembered as being wise.[c] Interlude
14 Like sheep, they are led to the grave,[d]
where death will be their shepherd.
In the morning the godly will rule over them.
Their bodies will rot in the grave,
far from their grand estates.
Psalm 49:6-14
New International Version
6 those who trust in their wealth(A)
and boast(B) of their great riches?(C)
7 No one can redeem the life of another
or give to God a ransom for them—
8 the ransom(D) for a life is costly,
no payment is ever enough—(E)
9 so that they should live on(F) forever
and not see decay.(G)
10 For all can see that the wise die,(H)
that the foolish and the senseless(I) also perish,
leaving their wealth(J) to others.(K)
11 Their tombs(L) will remain their houses[a] forever,
their dwellings for endless generations,(M)
though they had[b] named(N) lands after themselves.
13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,(Q)
and of their followers, who approve their sayings.[c]
14 They are like sheep and are destined(R) to die;(S)
death will be their shepherd
(but the upright will prevail(T) over them in the morning).
Their forms will decay in the grave,
far from their princely mansions.
Footnotes
- Psalm 49:11 Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew In their thoughts their houses will remain
- Psalm 49:11 Or generations, / for they have
- Psalm 49:13 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 15.
1 Peter 5:4
New Living Translation
4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
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1 Peter 5:4
New International Version
4 And when the Chief Shepherd(A) appears, you will receive the crown of glory(B) that will never fade away.(C)
1 Peter 1:4
New Living Translation
4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.
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1 Peter 1:4
New International Version
4 and into an inheritance(A) that can never perish, spoil or fade.(B) This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,(C)
1 Corinthians 7:31
New Living Translation
31 Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.
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1 Corinthians 7:31
New International Version
31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.(A)
Psalm 102:4
New Living Translation
4 My heart is sick, withered like grass,
and I have lost my appetite.
Psalm 102:4
New International Version
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