7Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it until it receives the early and late rains. [5:8] You also be patient; establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. [5:9] Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door. [5:10] As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. [5:11] Look, we consider blessed those who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job and seen the outcome of the Lord — that the Lord is compassionate and merciful. [5:12] But above all, my brothers, do not swear — not by heaven, nor by earth, nor by any other oath. But let your yes be yes and your no be no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
JAS 5:7-12
Patience in Suffering
In the world it was spoken into
In a 1st-century agrarian society, patience was not passive but an active endurance tied to survival. Farmers depended on the early and latter rains for crops, a cycle beyond their control. This agricultural metaphor would resonate deeply with listeners, who understood the farmer’s reliance on divine provision. The mention of the Lord’s (coming) evoked the arrival of a dignitary, a moment of both judgment and restoration. For Jewish listeners, this echoed prophetic promises of Yahweh’s intervention. The call to avoid grumbling addressed communal tensions, likely exacerbated by economic hardship or persecution. The prophets and Job were familiar figures of suffering and endurance, their stories preserved in Jewish tradition. Their perseverance was not passive resignation but steadfast faithfulness under trial. The Judge standing at the door evoked eschatological urgency, a warning against internal strife. This passage framed suffering within a communal and eschatological context, urging endurance rooted in trust in God’s ultimate justice.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
JAS 5:7
- KJV
- Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
- BSB
- Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lordʼs coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains.
- Koinōnos
- Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it until it receives the early and late rains.
JAS 5:8
- KJV
- Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
- BSB
- You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lordʼs coming is near.
- Koinōnos
- You also be patient; establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
JAS 5:9
- KJV
- Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
- BSB
- Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!
- Koinōnos
- Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door.
JAS 5:10
- KJV
- Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
- BSB
- Brothers, as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
- Koinōnos
- As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
JAS 5:11
- KJV
- Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
- BSB
- See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Jobʼs perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
- Koinōnos
- Look, we consider blessed those who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job and seen the outcome of the Lord — that the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
JAS 5:12
- KJV
- But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
- BSB
- 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.
- Koinōnos
- But above all, my brothers, do not swear — not by heaven, nor by earth, nor by any other oath. But let your yes be yes and your no be no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
JAS 5:7
- do be patient:The word translated 'do be patient' implies a long-suffering endurance, a willingness to bear with difficulties and provocations over an extended period without giving up or retaliating.
- coming:The term 'coming' here refers to an official arrival or presence, often associated with a king or dignitary visiting a city, highlighting the significance and authority of the event.
JAS 5:9
- do grumble:The word translated 'do grumble' suggests a deep sighing or groaning, often expressing inner distress, discontent, or frustration, rather than just a verbal complaint.
JAS 5:11
- perseverance:The word translated 'perseverance' carries the sense of steadfast endurance, not merely waiting, but actively remaining under pressure or difficulty without yielding or losing hope.