5:1 As for you rich people, cry and howl because of the misery coming upon you!

5:2 Your wealth has rotted and your clothes are moth-eaten;

5:3 your money has corroded, and it will testify against you and eat away your flesh, because you hoarded wealth in the last days.

5:4 Listen! The wages you withheld from your employees are shouting out, and the distress calls of the workers have reached the ears of the Master of Armies.

5:5 You live in decadent luxury on the earth, fattening your hearts for slaughter.

5:6 You convict the innocent and murder those who aren’t even opposing you.

5:7 So be patient, sisters and brothers, until the Master is here. Observe: The farmer waits for the priceless produce of the land, patiently waiting for the early and late rains.

5:8 So you be patient too, and be ready, because the Master is almost here!

5:9 Do not mutter against each other, so that you will not be judged. Look! The Judge stands at the door.

5:10 My brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Name of the Master as examples of suffering evil and enduring it.

5:11 Happy are those who endure! You heard about the endurance of Job, and you understood how it ended, because the Master is filled with great compassion.

5:12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not take oaths; not by heaven, nor by earth, nor by anything else. Just say “yes” or “no” and mean it, so you won’t come under judgment.

5:13 If anyone among you is suffering, they should pray; if anyone is happy, they should play music;

5:14 if anyone is weak, they should call on the elders of the Congregation and have them pray over them, putting olive oil on them in the name of the Master.

5:15 The claim made in faith will save the weak and the Master will raise them up, and if they have failed they will be forgiven.

5:16 Admit your failures to each other and stand up for each other, so that you may be healed. The persistent request of the just is very effective.

5:17 Elijah was a person just like us, and when he prayed for it not to rain, it didn’t rain for three and a half years!

5:18 He prayed again, and the rains came over the land to make things grow.

5:19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you is led astray from the truth, and someone turns them back,

5:20 understand that the one who turns them away from deception will save their soul from death and cover up innumerable failures.