Warning to the rich
1 As for you rich people, cry and howl because of the misery coming upon you! 2 Your wealth has rotted and your clothes are moth-eaten; 3 your money has corroded, and it will testify against you and eat away your flesh, because you hoarded wealth in the last days. 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 You live in decadent luxury on the earth, fattening your hearts for slaughter. 6 You convict the innocent and murder those who aren’t even opposing you.
Patience in suffering
7 So be patient, sisters and brothers, until the Master is here. Observe how the farmer waits for the priceless produce of the land, patiently waiting for the early and late rains. 8 So you be patient too, and be ready, because the Master is almost here! 9 Do not mutter against each other, so that you will not be judged. Look! The Judge stands at the door. 10 My brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Name of the Master as examples of suffering evil and enduring it. 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.
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.
Genuine prayer
13 If anyone among you is suffering, they should pray; if anyone is happy, they should play music; 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. 15 The claim made in faith will save the weak and the Master will raise them up, and if they have sinned they will be forgiven. 16 Admit your sins to each other and stand up for each other, so that you may be healed. The persistent request of the just is very effective. 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! 18 He prayed again, and the rains came over the land to make things grow.
19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you is led astray from the truth, and someone turns them back, 20 understand that the one who turns them away from deception will save their soul from death and cover up innumerable sins.