James 5:1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.

◄ James 5:1 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.

English Standard Version
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.

New American Standard Bible
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you.

King James Bible
Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Come now, you rich people! Weep and wail over the miseries that are coming on you.

International Standard Version
Now listen, you rich people! Cry and moan over the miseries that are overtaking you.

American Standard Version
Come now, ye rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl in your miseries, which shall come upon you.

Darby Bible Translation
Go to now, ye rich, weep, howling over your miseries that are coming upon you.

Young's Literal Translation
Go, now, ye rich! weep, howling over your miseries that are coming upon you;

Cross References

Isaiah 13:6
Howl you; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Isaiah 15:3
In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly.

Ezekiel 30:2
Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus said the Lord GOD; Howl you, Woe worth the day!

Luke 6:24
But woe to you that are rich! for you have received your consolation.

1 Timothy 6:9
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

James 4:13
Go to now, you that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

5:1-6 Public troubles are most grievous to those who live in pleasure, and are secure and sensual, though all ranks suffer deeply at such times. All idolized treasures will soon perish, except as they will rise up in judgment against their possessors. Take heed of defrauding and oppressing; and avoid the very appearance of it. God does not forbid us to use lawful pleasures; but to live in pleasure, especially sinful pleasure, is a provoking sin. Is it no harm for people to unfit themselves for minding the concerns of their souls, by indulging bodily appetites? The just may be condemned and killed; but when such suffer by oppressors, this is marked by God. Above all their other crimes, the Jews had condemned and crucified that Just One who had come among them, even Jesus Christ the righteous.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

CHAPTER 5

Jas 5:1-20. Woes Coming on the Wicked Rich: Believers Should Be Patient unto the Lord's Coming: Various Exhortations.

1. Go to now—Come now. A phrase to call solemn attention.

ye rich—who have neglected the true enjoyment of riches, which consists in doing good. James intends this address to rich Jewish unbelievers, not so much for themselves, as for the saints, that they may bear with patience the violence of the rich (Jas 5:7), knowing that God will speedily avenge them on their oppressors [Bengel].

miseries that shall come—literally, "that are coming upon you" unexpectedly and swiftly, namely, at the coming of the Lord (Jas 5:7); primarily, at the destruction of Jerusalem; finally, at His visible coming to judge the world.