James 4:9

9 miseri estote et lugete et plorate risus vester in luctum convertatur et gaudium in maerorem

James 4:9 Meaning and Commentary

James 4:9

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep
Not in a bare external way; not by afflicting the body with fastings and scourgings, by renting of garments, and clothing with sackcloth, and putting ashes on the head, and other such outward methods of humiliation; but afflicting the soul is meant, an inward mourning and weeping over the plague of the heart, the impurity of nature, and the various sins of life; after a godly sort, and because contrary to a God of infinite love and grace; in an evangelical way, looking to Jesus, and being affected with the pardoning grace and love of God in Christ.

Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness;
meaning their carnal joy, on account of their friendship with the world, and their enjoyment of the things of it, since they consumed them on their lusts, and which betrayed enmity to God.

James 4:9 In-Context

7 subditi igitur estote Deo resistite autem diabolo et fugiet a vobis
8 adpropiate Domino et adpropinquabit vobis emundate manus peccatores et purificate corda duplices animo
9 miseri estote et lugete et plorate risus vester in luctum convertatur et gaudium in maerorem
10 humiliamini in conspectu Domini et exaltabit vos
11 nolite detrahere de alterutrum fratres qui detrahit fratri aut qui iudicat fratrem suum detrahit legi et iudicat legem si autem iudicas legem non es factor legis sed iudex
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.