James 5:11
What does James 5:11 mean?
A plain-English look at James 5:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What James 5:11 means
James declares those who endure to be blessed, then points to Job. Readers know his steadfastness amid profound loss and the gracious outcome God brought. “The end of the Lord” means the outcome the Lord achieved—revealing that beneath and beyond trials, God is “full of pity, and merciful.” Job’s story does not glamorize pain; it showcases God’s compassionate sovereignty that restores and refines. The blessing is not in suffering for its own sake, but in trusting the Lord through it. This verse urges confidence that the same God who met Job with mercy remains attentive to His people, turning endurance into a testimony of His character.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Behold, we call them blessed that endured: ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, how that the Lord is full of pity, and merciful.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Behold, we call them blessed that endured: ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, how that the Lord is full of pity, and merciful.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949We say that those men who have gone through pain are happy: you have the story of Job and the troubles through which he went and have seen that the Lord was full of pity and mercy in the end.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862lo, we call happy those who are enduring; the endurance of Job ye heard of, and the end of the Lord ye have seen, that very compassionate is the Lord, and pitying.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Behold, we account them blessed who have endured. You have heard of the patience of Job and you have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is merciful and compassionate.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Behold, we call them blessed who have endured. Ye have heard of the endurance of Job, and seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is full of tender compassion and pitiful.
Context
Following the general example of the prophets (v. 10), verse 11 focuses on Job to underline God’s compassionate purpose in trials. This strengthens the call to patience in the previous verses and prepares for practical exhortations that flow from trust in God’s character—especially integrity of speech in verse 12 and turning to prayer in verses 13–18. The movement is logical: if God is merciful, we can forgo manipulative speech and seek Him honestly in every condition.
v.10Take, brethren, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spake in the name of the Lord.
v.11This passage
v.12But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by the heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; that ye fall not under judgment.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 103:13
Like as a father pitieth his children, So Jehovah pitieth them that fear him.
- Psalms 51:1
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
- Psalms 25:6
Remember, O Jehovah, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindness; For they have been ever of old.
- Luke 6:36
Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
- Psalms 78:38
But he, being merciful, forgave theiriniquity, and destroyedthemnot: Yea, many a time turned he his anger away, And did not stir up all his wrath.
- Daniel 9:9
To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness; for we have rebelled against him;
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