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James 5:7
ESV Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
NIV Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
NASB Therefore be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.
CSB Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.
NLT 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.
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.

What does James 5:7 mean?

In the prior passage, James condemned rich unbelievers who were oppressing James's often poverty-stricken Christian readers. Here, he turns to encourage these suffering believers. He urges them to be patient as they wait for the coming of the Lord. According to worldly perspectives, their wealthy oppressors appeared to be winning. The rich were comfortable. According to the standards of the world, they had succeeded in every way that mattered.

But, according to James, the day of the Lord—or the "day of slaughter" (James 5:5)—was coming. James had written that these rich people should start crying now in anticipation of the misery headed their way. But to those trusting in Christ, however little money and status they had in this life, James offers that same fact as comfort: The day of the Lord is coming. Be patient while you wait for Him to keep His promise.

Waiting is hard when you're suffering. James uses the analogy of a farmer for encouragement. He asks his readers to think of how hardworking farm hands have to wait for the payoff of their efforts. All of the struggle and strain, through all the stages of the growing season, eventually lead to the glorious harvest. Be patient like that, James says. The harvest will come.
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