Paul's 2nd Letter to Timothy

From the Holy Bible, Hoehn Version

 

by Frederick Hoehn, copyright 2014, all rights reserved. 

 

Chapter 1

 

First, we'll present Second Timothy, the Apostle Paul's second letter to Timothy. 

 

Then, there'll be some words from this author. 

 

From the Holy Bible, Hoehn Version--

___2 Timothy chapter 1

1 Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son, grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with a pure conscience, that without stopping, I remember you in my prayers night and day,

4 Greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, so that I'll be filled with joy,

5 When I remember the unpretended faith that is in you, that lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded that in you also.

6 So I remind you to stir up the gift of God that is in you by the putting on of my hands.

7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8 Therefore, don't be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but be partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God,

9 Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, that was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

10 But is now made clear by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has destroyed death, and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

11 To which I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For which reason I also suffer these things, but anyway, I'm not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I’ve committed to him against that day.

13 Hold tightly the form of sound words, that you've heard from me, in faith and love that is in Christ Jesus.

14 The good thing that was committed to you, keep by the Holy Ghost that lives in us.

15 This you know, that all of those who are in Asia have turned away from me, of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

16 The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains,

17 But when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

18 The Lord grant to him that he'll find mercy from the Lord in that day, and in how many things he ministered to me at Ephesus, you know very well.

 

___2 Timothy chapter 2

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things that you've heard from me among many witnesses, commit to faithful men, who'll be able to teach others also.

3 Therefore endure hardship, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No soldier entangles himself with the affairs of this life, so that he'll please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.

5 And if a man also strives for masteries, yet he's not crowned, unless he strives legally.

6 The farmer that labors must be first partaker of the fruits.

7 Consider what I say, and the Lord give you understanding in all things.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the descendants of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel,

9 In which I suffer trouble, like a criminal, even as far as shackles, but the word of God is not shackled.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, so that they'll also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 It is a faithful saying, for if we're dead with him, we'll also live with him,

12 If we suffer, we'll also reign with him, if we deny him, he will also deny us,

13 If we don't believe, yet he remains faithful, he can't deny himself.

14 Remind them about these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

15 Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that doesn't need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

17 And their word will eat like a canker, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection has already happened, and overthrow the faith of some.

19 Anyway, the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are his."  And, let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from sin.

20 But in a great house there are not only containers of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay, and some to honor, and some to dishonor.

21 If a man therefore purges himself from these, he'll be a container to honor, made holy, and ready for the master's use, and prepared for every good work.

22 Flee also youthful lusts, but follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they cause strife.

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing those who oppose themselves, if God will perhaps give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth,

26 And so they'll recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him whenever he wants.

 

___2 Timothy chapter 3

1 Know this also, that in the last days dangerous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God,

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power of it, from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are those who sneak into houses, and lead captive silly women loaded with sins, led away by various lusts,

7 Always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Now like Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth, men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9 But they shall proceed no further, for their foolishness shall be made clear to all men, as theirs also was.

10 But you have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,

11 Persecutions, afflictions, that came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, what persecutions I endured, but the Lord gave me deliverance out of them all.

12 Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue in the things that you've learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you've learned them,

15 And that from a child you've known the holy scriptures, that are able to make you wise for salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

17 So that the man of God will be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works.

 

___2 Timothy chapter 4

1 I charge you therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the alive and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom,

2 Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, scold, exhort with all patience and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they won't endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts they'll heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears,

4 And they'll turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn to fairy tales.

5 But stay awake in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry.

6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith,

8 From now on, a crown of righteousness has been laid up for me, that the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but to all of those also who love his appearing.

9 Make a good effort to come shortly to me,

10 For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

11 Only Luke is with me.  Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

12 And I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

13 The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, bring with you when you come, and the books, but especially the parchments.

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil, the Lord repay him according to his works,

15 Of whom you beware also, for he has greatly withstood our words.

16 At my first answer, no man stood with me, but all men forsook me, I pray God that it won't be held against them.

17 Anyway, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, so that by me the preaching would be fully known, and so all the Gentiles would hear, and I was given deliverance out of the mouth of the lion.

18 And the Lord shall give me deliverance from every evil work, and will preserve me until his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory forever and always.  Amen.

19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

20 Erastus stayed at Corinth, but I've left Trophimus sick at Miletum.

21 Make a good effort to come before winter.  Eubulus greets you, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brothers.

22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  Grace be with you.  Amen.

 

Chapter 2

 

In chapter 1 of 2 Tim--

Paul refers to Timothy as his beloved son.  I believe Timothy is Paul's son, spiritually. 

 

Paul sends Timothy grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Paul prays for Timothy night and day, and wants to see him again soon.  

 

Timothy has the sincere kind of faith that his grandmother, Lois had, and that his mother, Eunice had. 

 

Paul says to stir up the gift in Timothy that came by the laying on of Paul's hands. 

 

And here is a very important teaching of the Bible: 

"God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 

 

If fears come against you, they didn't come from God, they come from the enemy, and we have authority over the enemy in Luke 10:19, and in Mark 16:17

 

We should not be ashamed to be Christians. 

 

Jesus saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but

according to his own purpose and grace, that was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 

 

Jesus has destroyed death, and given us life and immortality. 

 

Paul is a preacher, and an Apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.  Elsewhere, Paul says he is the Apostle to the Gentiles.   

 

The Lord is able to keep what we've committed to Him. 

 

We should hold tightly the words that Paul has taught us.

 

Onesiphorus was a helper to Paul.  

 

In chapter 2--

 

Paul says be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 

 

The teachings of Paul should be committed to faithful men, who'll be able to teach others also. 

 

We should endure hardship, if necessary, like a good soldier would do for the Lord Jesus. 

 

Now here is a very important principle for Christians:

"No soldier entangles himself with the affairs of this life, so that he'll please him who has chosen him to be a soldier." 

 

You can't do a proper job for the Lord if you are too much entangled with the affairs of this life. 

 

And if we strive to be achievers, we must do it legally. 

 

The farmer that labors should be the first to eat of the fruits. 

 

The genealogy of the Lord Jesus descends from King David.  Jesus was raised from the dead. 

 

Paul suffered persecution for the sake of the gospel, and shackles.  But he endures all things for the elect's sakes, so that they'll also get saved. 

 

If we suffer, we'll also reign with Jesus. 

 

But if we deny him, he'll deny us. 

 

If we don't believe, yet he remains faithful, he can't deny himself.

 

Paul wants Timothy to teach what he has been taught by Paul.  

 

Here is another important Bible principle--

Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that doesn't need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

 

In the King James Version, it says approved unto God, which is the "A.U.G. degree" that I've previously written about.  A degree more important than a phD. from Harvard. 

 

(Of course, a person could have both.)

 

Notice that it says we must rightly divide the word of truth. 

 

At my apartment, I think a previous tenant was probably a Christian, because a magazine came in the mail from one of the Christian ministries. 

 

The magazine came by bulk rate mail, so it wasn't going to be forwarded by the Postal Service. 

 

The fellow whose name is on that ministry wrote an article where he says, "God says man can live one hundred twenty years." 

 

No, I don't think so.  That's from the Book of Genesis.  That's what God said before Noah's flood.  I believe God was saying he would bring judgment against the world after 120 years. 

 

Noah finished building the ark, and the flood came, and killed all the humans that were not on the ark. 

 

God is not telling us we can live for 120 years. 

 

The man was wrongly dividing the word of truth. 

 

In Psalm 90:10, it says the days of our years are seventy years, or if by reason of strength, eighty years. 

 

God hasn't promised us 120 years of life on earth. 

 

And that man has a famous ministry.  If you Googled his name, you'd find him. 

 

But he wrongly divided the word of truth. 

 

The same man slandered Job by saying that Job brought his own troubles on himself. 

 

No he didn't.  The Bible says Job was perfect and upright, who feared God, and hated evil. 

 

Job didn't bring his troubles on himself. 

 

Actually, I've heard two famous teachers make that same mistake. 

 

Job's troubles came because of a conversation between God and Satan.  God allowed Satan to test Job, and that's where Job's troubles came from. 

 

One of those same teachers also taught the false doctrine that the only power Satan has is the power to deceive.  Wrong, brother.  Better read the Book of Job. 

 

All those troubles that came against Job were not deceptions, they were real afflictions that Satan brought on Job. 

 

Paul tells Timothy that Hymenaeus and Philetus held the false doctrine that the resurrection has already happened.  

 

No, Jesus was raised from the dead, but there'll be another resurrection that comes later. 

 

False doctrine like that can hurt the faith of some. 

 

The foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are his."  And, let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from sin. 

 

But in a great house there are not only containers of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay, and some to honor, and some to dishonor. 

 

In a great house, such as a rich man's house.  Or, a great house such as the Kingdom of God. 

 

Flee also youthful lusts, but follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 

 

The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those who oppose themselves, if God will perhaps give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, and so they'll recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him whenever he wants.

 

From chapter 3--

In the last days, dangerous times shall come. 

 

And we are now in those last days.  God told Daniel that in the last days, knowledge would increase. (Dan 12:4)   And knowledge has very much increased in the last couple of centuries. 

 

Paul lists the kind of bad people that there are, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.   

 

Having a form of godliness, but not the real thing.  We should turn away from them. 

 

Norvel Hayes said the Lord told him, "Now these are the most important words that ever came out of my mouth."  And he was talking about the words in Mark 16:17,18--

 

"And these signs shall follow those who believe, in my name they'll cast out devils, they'll speak with new languages, they shall pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it won't hurt them.  They shall lay hands on the sick, and they'll recover."

 

But don't go tempting God by intentionally picking up snakes or drinking something poisonous. 

 

Notice that the first sign following of Mark 16:17 is the casting out of demons. 

 

The casting out of demons should be a normal thing in all of the Christian churches, but I'm pretty sure that it's rather rare to find a church that casts out demons. 

 

There will be some Pastors on Judgment Day who will have to explain to God why they didn't have the signs following of Mark chapter 16. 

 

I wouldn't want to be in their shoes. 

 

Paul says Timothy has fully known his doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, persecutions, afflictions, that came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, what persecutions I endured, but the Lord gave me deliverance out of them all. 

 

Here's an important Bible principle for those who think that everything should be rosy for them after becoming Christians. 

 

All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 

 

Christians are going to have some persecution for being Christians.  But don't stop being a Christian because there's some persecution.  The avoiding of persecution is not worth going to hell for. 

 

The scriptures are able to make us wise, producing salvation. 

 

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God will be perfect, thoroughly furnished for all good works. 

 

From chapter 4--

Paul tells Timothy:  Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, scold, exhort with all patience and doctrine. 

 

Stay awake in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry.

 

Paul has fought a good fight, he has kept the faith. 

 

There's a crown of righteousness waiting for Paul in heaven. 

 

At Paul's first court appearance, no man stood with me, but all men forsook me, I pray God that it won't be held against them. 

 

But the Lord helped him. 

 

And the Lord shall give me deliverance from every evil work, and will preserve me until his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory forever and always.  Amen. 

 

Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.  Erastus stayed at Corinth, but I've left Trophimus sick at Miletum.

 

The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  Grace be with you.  Amen.

 

 

___James chapter 1

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes that are dispersed around, greetings.

2 My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into various temptations,

3 Knowing this, that the testing of your faith works patience.

4 But let patience have its perfect work, so you'll be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God for it, who gives to all men liberally, and won't find fault, and it shall be given to him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.

7 For let that man not think that he'll receive anything from the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted,

10 But the rich, in that he is made low, because as the flower of the grass he'll pass away.

11 For the sun has no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withers the grass, and the flower of it falls, and the grace of the fashion of it perishes, so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

12 Blessed is the man that endures temptation, for after he's been tested, he'll receive the crown of life, that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God can't be tempted with evil, nor does he tempt any man,

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then when lust has conceived, it produces sin, and sin when it's finished, produces death.

16 Do not err, my beloved brothers.

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, nor shadow of turning.

18 He chose to father us with the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

19 So, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger,

20 For the anger of man doesn't accomplish the righteousness of God.

21 So, lay apart all filthiness and the unnecessary naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man seeing his natural face in a mirror,

24 For he sees himself, and goes his way, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

25 But whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues in it, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

26 If any man among you seems to be religious, and doesn't bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is for nothing.

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

 

___James chapter 2

1 My brothers, don't have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

2 For if a man with a gold ring comes to your assembly in fancy clothes, and a poor man in dirty clothes comes in also,

3 And you have respect to him that wears the fancy clothes, and say to him, "Sit here in a good place," and say to the poor, "Stand there, or sit here under my footstool,"

4 Aren't you then partial in yourselves, and have become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my beloved brothers, hasn't God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?

6 But you have despised the poor.  Don't rich men oppress you, and bring you before the judgment seats?

7 Don't they blaspheme that worthy name by which you're called?

8 If you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor like yourself," you do well,

9 But if you have respect of persons, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as sinners.

10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

11 For he that said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not kill."  Now if you don't commit adultery, yet if you kill, you've become a breaker of the law.

12 Speak in such a way, and do, as those who'll be judged by the law of liberty.

13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has shown no mercy, and mercy rejoices against judgment.

14 What does it profit, my brothers, though a man says he has faith, and doesn't have works?  Can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister needs clothes, and lacks daily food,

16 And one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you don't give them the things that are needed for the body, what good is that?

17 Even so faith, if it doesn't have works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yes, a man could say, "You have faith, and I have works, show me your faith without your works, and I'll show you my faith by my works."

19 You believe that there is one God, you do well, the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But don't you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Wasn't Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son on the altar?

22 Do you see how faith worked with his deeds, and by works faith was made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness, and he was called the friend of God."

24 You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise also wasn't Rahab the prostitute justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

26 For like the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

 

___James chapter 3

1 My brothers, don't be many masters, knowing that we'll receive the greater condemnation.

2 For in many things we offend all.  If any man doesn't offend in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

3 See, we put bits in the horses' mouths, so they'll obey us, and we turn around their whole bodies.

4 Look also at the ships, which though they're so large, and are driven by fierce winds, yet they're turned around by a very small helm, wherever the captain wants.

5 Even so, the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things.  See how great a matter a little fire kindles!

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of sin, so is the tongue among our members that it makes dirty the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire by hell.

7 For every kind of animals, and of birds, and of snakes, and of things in the sea, gets tamed, and has been tamed by mankind,

8 But no man can tame the tongue, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With it we bless God, the Father, and with it we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.  My brothers, these things ought not to be.

11 Does a fountain send out at the same place sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brothers, produce olive berries?  Or a vine, figs?  So no fountain can yield both salt water and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man, possessing knowledge among you?  Let him show out of a good lifestyle his works with meekness of wisdom.

14 But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, don't glory, and don't lie against the truth.

15 This wisdom doesn't descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be reasoned with, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is planted in peace by those who make peace.

 

___James chapter 4

1 Where do wars and fightings among you come from?  Don't they come from your lusts that war in your members?

2 You lust, and don't have, you kill, and desire to have, and can't obtain, you fight and war, yet you don't have, because you don't ask.

3 You ask, and don't receive, because you ask wrongly, so you can consume it on your lusts.

4 You adulterers and adulteresses, don't you know that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?  Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world is an enemy of God.

5 Do you think that the scripture says for nothing, "The spirit that lives in us lusts to envy?"

6 But he gives more grace.  So he says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he'll run away from you.

8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and cry, let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he'll lift you up.

11 Don't speak evil about each other, brothers.  He that speaks evil about his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil about the law, and judges the law, but if you judge the law, you're not a doer of the law, but a judge.

12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy, who are you that judges someone else?

13 Go on now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we'll go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and make a profit,"

14 Actually, you don't know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life?  It is a puff of steam, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.

15 For you ought to say, "Lord willing, we'll live, and do this, or that."

16 But now you rejoice in your boastings, all such rejoicing is evil.

17 Therefore to him that knows to do good, and doesn't do it, to him it is sin.

 

___James chapter 5

1 Go on now, you rich men, cry and howl for your miseries that shall come on you.

2 Your riches are corrupted, and your clothes are moth eaten.

3 Your gold and silver are rusted, and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh like fire.  You've heaped treasure together for the last days.

4 See, the wages of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which you've kept back by fraud, shouts, and the shouts of those who've reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabbath.

5 You've lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton, you've nourished your hearts, like in a day of slaughter.

6 You've condemned and killed the just, and he doesn't resist you.

7 Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.  See, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for it, until he receives the early and latter rain.

8 You also be patient.  Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is getting near.

9 Don't grudge against each other, brothers, so you won't be condemned, see, the judge stands at the door.

10 Take, my brothers, the prophets, who've spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

11 See, we count them happy that endure.  You've heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

12 But above all things, my brothers, don't swear, not by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath, but let your yes be yes, and your no, no, so that you don't fall into condemnation.

13 Is anyone among you afflicted?  Let him pray.  Is anyone merry?  Let him sing psalms.

14 Is anyone sick among you?  Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord,

15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he has committed sins, he'll be forgiven.

16 Confess your faults to each other, and pray for each other so you'll be healed.  The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man is does a lot of good.

17 Elijah was a man subject to the same kind of passions that we are, and he prayed earnestly that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't rain on the earth for three years and six months.

18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

19 Brothers, if any of you strays from the truth, and someone converts him,

20 Let him know, that he that converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.