Bible In Poetry: James 5 Poem by Dr John Celes

Warning to Rich Oppressors:

1Now listen, all you people rich:
You weep and wail for, misery
That’s coming forth upon you soon.
2Your wealth has rotted silently,
And moths have eaten up your clothes.
3Your gold, silver is corroded.
Their corrosion will testify
’Gainst you, and eat your flesh like fire.
You’ve hoarded wealth in the last days.
4 And look! The wages you didn’t pay
The workmen who had mowed your fields
Are crying out against your way.
The cries of harvesters have reached,
The Almighty Lord’s ears truly.
5 You lived on earth in luxury,
And self-indulgence, all your life.
You’ve fattened up yourselves on slaughter-day!
6 You’ve condemned, murdered innocent,
Men who were not opposing you.

Patience in Suffering:

7 Be patient till the Lord's coming.
See how the farmer waits for land,
To yield its crop so valuable!
How patiently, he waits for rains
In autumn and spring-time again!
8 You too, be patient and stand firm,
Because the Lord's coming is near.
9 Don't grumble against each other,
Or judged, you will be, dear brothers.
‘The Judge is standing at your door! ’
10 An example of patience is
How prophets in much suffering,
Spoke strongly in the name of Lord.
11Blessed are those who have persevered.
You’ve heard of Job's perseverance
And seen its conclusion, by God.
The Lord has compassion, mercy.
12 Above all brothers, do not swear—
Not by heaven or by the earth
Or by things anything or else.
Let 'Yes' be yes, and your 'No, ' no,
Or you will be condemned forev’r! .

The Prayer of Faith:

13 If you’re in trouble, he should pray.
If happy, then sing songs of praise.
14 If you are sick, call elders all
Of the church to pray over him;
Anoint with oil in name of Lord.
15 The prayer offered in deep faith
Will make the person sick well soon;
The Lord will raise him up again.
His sins will be forgiven him.
16 Confess your sins to each other
And pray for each other so that
You may be healed by God’s power.
The prayer of a righteous man
Is powerful and effective.
17 A man like us was Elijah.
He prayed earnestly it shouldn’t rain,
And it didn’t rain for many years.
18And when he prayed for rain again,
It came and earth produced its crops.
19 If one of you should leave the truth,
And someone should bring him back then,
20 Remember this: Whoever turns
A sinner from his sinful ways,
Will save his soul from final death
And cover over sins galore.