James 5:1-11 ▼

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

2 Your riches are rotten, your clothes have been eaten by moths,

3 your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be used as evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have stored up treasures in these last days.

4 Look! The wages that you kept back from the workers who harvested your fields are shouting out against you, and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of the Heavenly Armies.

5 You have lived in luxury and pleasure on earth. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.

6 You have condemned and murdered the one who is righteous, even though he did not rebel against you.

7 So be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious crop from his land, being patient with it until it receives the fall and the spring rains.

8 You, too, must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is near.

9 Do not complain about each other, brothers, or you will be condemned. Look! The Judge is standing at the door!

10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord.

11 We consider those who endured to be blessed. You have heard about Job's endurance and have seen the purpose of the Lord—that the Lord is compassionate and merciful.