James 5:7-17

7 Be patient, then, my friends, until the Lord comes. See how patient farmers are as they wait for their land to produce precious crops. They wait patiently for the autumn and spring rains.
8 You also must be patient. Keep your hopes high, for the day of the Lord's coming is near.
9 Do not complain against one another, my friends, so that God will not judge you. The Judge is near, ready to appear.
10 My friends, remember the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Take them as examples of patient endurance under suffering.
11 We call them happy because they endured. You have heard of Job's patience, and you know how the Lord provided for him in the end. For the Lord is full of mercy and compassion. 1
12 Above all, my friends, do not use an oath when you make a promise. Do not swear by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Say only "Yes" when you mean yes, and "No" when you mean no, and then you will not come under God's judgment. 2
13 Are any among you in trouble? They should pray. Are any among you happy? They should sing praises.
14 Are any among you sick? They should send for the church elders, who will pray for them and rub olive oil on them in the name of the Lord. 3
15 This prayer made in faith will heal the sick; the Lord will restore them to health, and the sins they have committed will be forgiven.
16 So then, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you will be healed. The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect. 4
17 Elijah was the same kind of person as we are. He prayed earnestly that there would be no rain, and no rain fell on the land for three and a half years. 5

Images for James 5:7-17

Cross References 5

  • 1. 5.11 aJob 1.21, 22; 2.10; bPsalms 103.8.
  • 2. 5.12Matthew 5.34-37.
  • 3. 5.14Mark 6.13.
  • 4. +25.16Ben Sira 4.26.
  • 5. 5.17 1 K 17.1; 18.1+2Ben Sira 48.2, 3.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.