One Year Bible New Testament Sampler, Floral Paradise - Flipbook - Page 33
NOVEMBER
21
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JAMES 5: 1-20
Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles
ahead of you. 2Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. 3Your gold
and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire.
This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. 4For
listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those
who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
5
You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened
yourselves for the day of slaughter. 6You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do
not resist you.
7
Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers
who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable
harvest to ripen. 8You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
9
Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the
Judge is standing at the door!
10
For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who
spoke in the name of the Lord. 11We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For
instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to
him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
12
But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything
else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.
13
Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing
praises. 14Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over
you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the
sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.
16
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The
earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
17
Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none
fell for three and a half years! 18Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the
earth began to yield its crops.
19
My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is
brought back, 20you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save
that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
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