“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.”
King James Version (KJV)
5:11 We count them happy that endured - That suffered patiently. The more they once suffered, the greater is their present happiness. Ye have seen the end of the Lord - The end which the Lord gave him.
5:12 Swear not - However provoked. The Jews were notoriously guilty of common swearing, though not so much by God himself as by some of his creatures. The apostle here particularly forbids these oaths, as well as all swearing in common conversation. It is very observable, how solemnly the apostle introduces this command: above all things, swear not - As if he had said, Whatever you forget, do not forget this. This abundantly demonstrates the horrible iniquity of the crime. But he does not forbid the taking a solemn oath before a magistrate. Let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay - Use no higher asseverations in common discourse; and let your word stand firm. Whatever ye say, take care to make it good.
5:14 Having anointed him with oil - This single conspicuous gift, which Christ committed to his apostles, #Mark 6:13|, remained in the church long after the other miraculous gifts were withdrawn. Indeed, it seems to have been designed to remain always; and St. James directs the elders, who were the most, if not the only, gifted men, to administer at. This was the whole process of physic in the Christian church, till it was lost through unbelief. That novel invention among the Romanists, extreme unction, practised not for cure, but where life is despaired of, bears no manner of resemblance to this.
5:15 And the prayer offered in faith shall save the sick - From his sickness; and if any sin be the occasion of his sickness, it shall be forgiven him.
Jas 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? Let him not swear, or engage in any improper use of the tongue, but "let him pray". God is the Helper in such an hour. Is any cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Let his joy be shown, not in wanton speech, but in singing praises. Prayer and thanksgiving are the appropriate expressions for each condition.
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing Psalmes.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
Is anyone among you suffering? {Then} he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise.
- American Standard Version (1901)
Is anyone among you in trouble? let him say prayers. Is anyone glad? let him make a song of praise.
- Basic English Bible
Does any one among you suffer evil? let him pray. Is any happy? let him sing psalms.
- Darby Bible
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any cheerful? let him sing psalms.
- Webster's Bible
Is one of you suffering? Let him pray. Is any one in good spirits? Let him sing a psalm.
- Weymouth Bible
Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises.
- World English Bible
And if ony of you is sorewful, preye he with pacient soule, and seie he a salm.
- Wycliffe Bible
Doth any one suffer evil among you? let him pray; is any of good cheer? let him sing psalms;
- Youngs Literal Bible