James 5:1

Now I have something to say to the rich people who do not believe in Christ and who ◄ oppress you/cause you to suffer►. Listen to me, you rich people! You should weep and wail loudly [DOU] because you will experience terrible troubles [PRS]!

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

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

In Context

2Your wealth of various kinds is worthless [MET], as though it were rotted. Your fine clothes are worthless [MET], as though termites had ruined them.

Read all of James 5

Cross References

Deuteronomy 8:12When your stomachs are full every day, and when you have built good houses and are living in them,

Nehemiah 9:25Our ancestors captured cities that had walls around them, and they took possession of fertile land. They took possession of houses that were full of good things, where there were wells that were already dug. They took possession of many vineyards and groves of olive trees and fruit trees. They ate all that they wanted to and became fat. They were delighted in all these good things that you gave to them.

Psalms 17:14Yahweh, by your power [MTY] rescue me from those people who are interested only in things here in this world. But you provide plenty of food for those whom you love dearly; their children also have many things that their grandchildren will inherit.

Psalms 73:3because I envied those who proudly said that they did not need God, and I saw that they prospered even though they were wicked.

Proverbs 11:4Your money will not help you on the day that God judges and punishes people; but if you live righteously, you will live a long time.

Ecclesiastes 5:13I have seen another terrible thing that happens here on the earth [MTY]: People save up all their money and become rich, but they are not helped by saving a lot of money,

Matthew Henry on James 5:1

In this chapter the apostle denounces the judgments of God upon those rich men who oppress the poor, showing them how great their sin and folly are in the sight of God, and how grievous the punishments would be which should fall upon themselves, ver. 1-6 . Hereupon, all the faithful are exhorted to patience under their trials and sufferings, ver. 7-11 . The sin of swearing is cautioned against, ver. 12 . We are directed how to act, both under affliction and in prosperity, ver. 13 . Prayer for the sick, and… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study James 5:1