James 5:13
What does James 5:13 mean?
A plain-English look at James 5:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What James 5:13 means
James directs believers to respond to every condition with Godward expression: the suffering should pray; the cheerful should sing praise. This recognizes that life brings varied seasons, none of which are spiritually neutral. Prayer in trouble invites God’s help and keeps bitterness at bay. Praise in joy acknowledges the Giver and keeps pride from taking root. The verse normalizes a reflex of turning to the Lord first, whether in need or delight. It sketches a healthy rhythm of the soul: dependence and gratitude. In this way, both pain and pleasure become occasions for fellowship with God, shaping a steady heart that neither despairs nor forgets.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Is any among you suffering? let him pray. Is any cheerful? let him sing praise.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Is any among you suffering? let him pray. Is any cheerful? let him sing praise.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Is anyone among you in trouble? let him say prayers. Is anyone glad? let him make a song of praise.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Doth any one suffer evil among you? let him pray; is any of good cheer? let him sing psalms;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Is any of you sad? Let him pray: Is he cheerful in mind? Let him sing.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Does any one among you suffer evil? let him pray. Is any happy? let him sing psalms.
Context
Having warned against manipulative speech, verse 13 turns to godly speech directed to God—prayer and praise. This begins a practical section on prayer for various situations, especially sickness (vv. 14–15), confession and mutual intercession (v. 16), and the example of Elijah (vv. 17–18). The flow shows that steadfastness includes a praying life, not just passive endurance. James now equips the church with concrete practices to face trials together.
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.
v.13This passage
v.14Is any among you sick? 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:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 26:30
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
- Ephesians 5:19
speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
- 1 Chronicles 16:9
Sing unto him, sing praises unto him; Talk ye of all his marvellous works.
- Jonah 2:7
When my soul fainted within me, I remembered Jehovah; And my prayer came in unto thee, into thy holy temple.
- Luke 22:44
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.
- Revelation 7:10
and they cry with a great voice, saying, Salvation unto our God who sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb.
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