James 5 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Now listen up, you wealthy people — weep and wail over the misery that's coming your way.

Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten through your clothes.

Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You've been stockpiling wealth in the final days.

Listen — the wages you held back from the workers who harvested your fields are crying out! The cries of those harvesters have reached the ears of Yahweh, Commander of Armies.

You've lived on the earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You've fattened yourselves up for the day of slaughter.

You've condemned and murdered the just person, and they don't resist you.

So be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord arrives. Look at how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient for it until it gets the early and late rains.

You too, be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord's arrival is near.

Don't grumble against each other, brothers and sisters, or you'll be judged. Look — the Judge is standing right at the door.

Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of Yahweh as your example of suffering and patience.

Look, we consider those who endured to be the ones who truly flourished. You've heard about Job's endurance and you've seen what Yahweh ultimately brought about — because Yahweh is deeply compassionate and merciful.

Above all, my brothers and sisters, don't swear oaths — not by heaven, not by earth, not by anything else. Let your 'yes' be yes and your 'no' be no, so you won't fall under judgment.

Is anyone among you suffering? They should pray. Is anyone feeling good? They should sing praises.

Is anyone among you sick? They should call for the elders of the gathering, and they should pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.

And the prayer offered in trust will restore the one who is sick — the Lord will raise them up. And if they've committed failures, they'll be forgiven.

So confess your failures to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is powerful and effective.

Elijah was a human being just like us. He prayed earnestly that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't rain on the land for three years and six months.

Then he prayed again, and the sky produced rain and the earth grew its crops.

My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders away from the truth and someone brings them back,

know this: whoever turns someone who has wandered away from the right path back will rescue that person's life from death and will cover over a countless number of failures.