Wisdom for the Path in 14 Days

¹ These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel,

² for gaining wisdom and discipline, for comprehending words of insight,

³ and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity.

⁴ To impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young,

⁵ let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel

⁶ by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

⁷ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

⁸ Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.

⁹ For they are a garland of grace on your head and a pendant around your neck.

¹⁰ My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them.

¹¹ If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause,

¹² let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit.

¹³ We will find all manner of precious goods; we will fill our houses with plunder.

¹⁴ Throw in your lot with us; let us all share one purse”—

¹⁵ my son, do not walk the road with them or set foot upon their path.

¹⁶ For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood.

¹⁷ How futile it is to spread the net where any bird can see it!

¹⁸ But they lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush their own lives.

¹⁹ Such is the fate of all who are greedy, whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors.

²⁰ Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square;

²¹ in the main concourse she cries aloud, at the city gates she makes her speech:

²² “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?

²³ If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you.

²⁴ Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand,

²⁵ because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction,

²⁶ in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you,

²⁷ when your dread comes like a storm, and your destruction like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you.

²⁸ Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.

²⁹ For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD.

³⁰ They accepted none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof.

³¹ So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

³² For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

³³ But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil.”

¹ My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you,

² if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding,

³ if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding,

⁴ if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure,

⁵ then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.

⁶ For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

⁷ He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk with integrity,

⁸ to guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His saints.

⁹ Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity—every good path.

¹⁰ For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul.

¹¹ Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you,

¹² to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perversity,

¹³ from those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness,

¹⁴ from those who enjoy doing evil and rejoice in the twistedness of evil,

¹⁵ whose paths are crooked and whose ways are devious.

¹⁶ It will rescue you from the forbidden woman, from the stranger with seductive words

¹⁷ who abandons the partner of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God.

¹⁸ For her house sinks down to death, and her tracks to the departed spirits.

¹⁹ None who go to her return or negotiate the paths of life.

²⁰ So you will follow in the ways of the good, and keep to the paths of the righteous.

²¹ For the upright will inhabit the land, and the blameless will remain in it;

²² but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be uprooted.

¹ My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;

² for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.

³ Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.

⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;

⁶ in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

⁷ Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

⁸ This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.

⁹ Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops;

¹⁰ then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

¹¹ My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke;

¹² for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.

¹³ Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,

¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.

¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.

¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

¹⁷ All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful.

¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.

¹⁹ The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.

²⁰ By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew.

²¹ My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment.

²² They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.

²³ Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.

²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.

²⁵ Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

²⁶ for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare.

²⁷ Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.

²⁸ Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will provide”—when you already have the means.

²⁹ Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he trustfully dwells beside you.

³⁰ Do not accuse a man without cause, when he has done you no harm.

³¹ Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways;

³² for the LORD detests the perverse, but He is a friend to the upright.

³³ The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous.

³⁴ He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.

³⁵ The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame.

¹ Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

² For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive.

³ When I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother,

⁴ he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live.

⁵ Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them.

⁶ Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you.

⁷ Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.

⁸ Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.

⁹ She will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of beauty.”

¹⁰ Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many.

¹¹ I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths.

¹² When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; when you run, you will not stumble.

¹³ Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life.

¹⁴ Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.

¹⁵ Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by.

¹⁶ For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.

¹⁷ For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

¹⁸ The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.

¹⁹ But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.

²⁰ My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.

²¹ Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.

²² For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.

²³ Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.

²⁴ Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech.

²⁵ Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.

²⁶ Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure.

²⁷ Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.

¹ Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice?

² On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand.

³ Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out:

⁴ “To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men.

⁵ O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.

⁶ Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.

⁷ For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips.

⁸ All the words of my mouth are righteous; none are crooked or perverse.

⁹ They are all plain to the discerning, and upright to those who find knowledge.

¹⁰ Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.

¹¹ For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.

¹² I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.

¹³ To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.

¹⁴ Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength.

¹⁵ By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws;

¹⁶ By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.

¹⁷ I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.

¹⁸ With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.

¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, pure gold, and my harvest surpasses choice silver.

²⁰ I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

²¹ bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

²² The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old.

²³ From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began.

²⁴ When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water.

²⁵ Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth,

²⁶ before He made the land or fields, or any of the dust of the earth.

²⁷ I was there when He established the heavens, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,

²⁸ when He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep gushed forth,

²⁹ when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth.

³⁰ Then I was a skilled craftsman at His side, and His delight day by day, rejoicing always in His presence.

³¹ I was rejoicing in His whole world, delighting together in the sons of men.

³² Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

³³ Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.

³⁴ Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.

³⁵ For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.

³⁶ But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”

¹ A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

² The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

³ The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.

⁴ A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

⁵ A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

⁶ The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.

⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.

⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

⁹ The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.

¹⁰ Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.

¹¹ Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!

¹² A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.

¹³ A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.

¹⁴ A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

¹⁵ All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

¹⁶ Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.

¹⁷ Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.

¹⁸ A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.

¹⁹ The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

²⁰ A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

²¹ Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.

²² Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

²³ A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!

²⁴ The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

²⁵ The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.

²⁶ The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him.

²⁷ He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.

²⁸ The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.

²⁹ The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

³⁰ The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.

³¹ He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

³² He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

³³ The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

¹ The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.

² All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

³ Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.

⁴ The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster.

⁵ Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.

⁶ By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.

⁷ When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

⁸ Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.

⁹ A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

¹⁰ A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.

¹¹ Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.

¹² Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.

¹³ Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.

¹⁴ The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

¹⁵ When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

¹⁶ How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

¹⁷ The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

¹⁹ It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.

²⁰ Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

²¹ The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

²² Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.

²³ The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

²⁶ A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.

²⁷ A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

²⁸ A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.

²⁹ A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.

³⁰ He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

³¹ Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.

³² He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

³³ The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

¹ A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.

² The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all.

³ The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.

⁴ The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life.

⁵ Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them.

⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

⁷ The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

⁸ He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

⁹ A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

¹⁰ Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.

¹¹ He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.

¹² The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless.

¹³ The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”

¹⁴ The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.

¹⁵ Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

¹⁶ Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.

¹ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,

³ because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

⁴ Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

⁵ Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

⁶ But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

⁷ That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

⁸ He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

⁹ The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position.

¹⁰ But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field.

¹¹ For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

¹² Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.

¹⁴ But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.

¹⁵ Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.

¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.

¹⁹ My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

²⁰ for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.

²¹ Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.

²² Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.

²³ For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror,

²⁴ and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

²⁵ But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.

²⁶ If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.

²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

¹ My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism.

² Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.

³ If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,”

⁴ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

⁵ Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?

⁶ But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?

⁷ Are they not the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you have been called?

⁸ If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

⁹ But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

¹⁰ Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

¹¹ For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

¹² Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.

¹³ For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

¹⁵ Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.

¹⁶ If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

¹⁷ So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

¹⁹ You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

²⁰ O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?

²¹ Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

²² You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did.

²³ And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.

²⁴ As you can see, a man is justified by his deeds and not by faith alone.

²⁵ In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?

²⁶ As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

² We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.

³ When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.

⁴ Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.

⁵ In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.

⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,

⁸ but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹ With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.

¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!

¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

¹² My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.

¹⁵ Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.

¹³ Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.”

¹⁴ You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”

¹⁶ As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil.

¹⁷ Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.

¹ Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you.

² Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes.

³ Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days.

⁴ Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.

⁵ You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter.

⁶ You have condemned and murdered the righteous, who did not resist you.

⁷ Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains.

⁸ You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.

⁹ Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!

¹⁰ Brothers, as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

¹¹ See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

¹² Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.

¹³ Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.

¹⁴ Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

¹⁵ And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

¹⁷ Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.

¹⁸ Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.

¹⁹ My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,

²⁰ consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.