James 4:13-5:20

New International Version

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

5 Now listen,^(G) you rich people,^(H) weep and wail^(I) because of the misery that is coming on you. ² Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.^{(J) 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.^{(K) 4} 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) 5} You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves^(O) in the day of slaughter.^{[a](P) 6} You have condemned and murdered^(Q) the innocent one,^(R) who was not opposing you.

Patience in Suffering

⁷ 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) 8} You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming^(V) is near.^{(W) 9} 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)

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.^(AF)

The Prayer of Faith

¹³ Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.^(AG) Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.^{(AH) 14} Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders^(AI) of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil^(AJ) in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer offered in faith^(AK) 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^(AL) to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.^(AM) The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.^(AN)

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

¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth^(AR) and someone should bring that person back,^{(AS) 20} remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save^(AT) them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.^(AU)