James 5:1-8

1Now, listen to me, you rich people. Weep and cry aloud, because many troubles will soon happen to you.

2Your money no longer has any value. Insects have eaten your beautiful clothes and they have spoiled them.

3You have stored silver and gold coins to spend for yourselves. But dirt has spoiled those coins. That dirt will show that you are guilty. It will become like fire that is burning your bodies. In the last days of this world you have stored all this money for yourselves.

4But you have not paid the workers in your fields the money that you should have paid them. You have cheated them. Now they are shouting against you. The Lord of great power has heard them when they cry to him for help.

5During your life here on this earth, you have had all that you wanted. You have lived like kings. You have eaten as much food as you want. So now you are like fat animals that are ready for men to kill.

6You say that a righteous person is guilty. You have even killed him and he could not stop you.

7So, my Christian friends, be patient until the Lord Jesus returns. Think about how a farmer is patient. He waits for the ground to give him valuable food to eat. He waits patiently for the rain to come in the autumn and in the spring.

8You also must be patient, because the Lord will return soon. Be strong as you continue to trust him.