1Come now, you rich people, weep and howl for the misery that is coming your way.
2Your wealth is eroding, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten.
3Your gold and silver are corroded; and their corrosion shall testify against you, and shall eat your flesh as if it were fire. You have horded treasure for the last days.
4Listen to the cries of those who have reaped your fields for wages, wages that you then kept back by fraud; their cries have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
5You have lived on earth in luxury, indulging yourself like a glutton; you have fattened yourself for the day of slaughter.
6You have condemned and murdered innocent people who offered no resistance to you.
7Be patient then, brothers and sisters, as you await the coming of the Lord. Consider the farmer who patiently waits for the land to yield its precious crop, until he receives the early and latter rains.
8Be patient, as well, brothers and sisters; and stand firm; for the coming of the Lord draws near.
9Do not murmur against one another, brothers and sisters, or you may be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!
10For an example of patience while suffering affliction, take the prophets, who spoke on behalf of the Lord.
11As you know, we give honor to those who persevere. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen how the Lord was kind to him in the end. The Lord is full of compassion and tender mercy.
12But above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, not by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by anything else; but let your response be a simple “Yes” or “No”, so that you do not fall under condemnation.
13Is anyone among you suffering or in trouble? Let him pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
14Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.
15And the prayer offered in faith shall cure the sick; the Lord shall raise them up; and if anyone has committed sins, they shall be forgiven.
16Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray one for each other, that you may be healed. The earnest and fervent prayer of a righteous man produces wonderful results.
17Elijah was a mortal man with the same nature as ours, and subject to same passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.
18And then he prayed again, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth again produced crops.
19My brothers and sisters, if any among you should wander from the truth, and someone brings that person back,
20Let him know and remember that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from eternal death, and shall hide or cover a multitude of sins. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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