James 2:5 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) Listen, my dearly loved brothers; did not God choose those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be wealthy in faith and to inherit the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? Amplified Bible - Classic Edition Listen, my beloved brethren: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and in their position as believers and to inherit the kingdom which He has promised to those who love Him? American Standard Version (1901) Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him? Common English Bible My dear brothers and sisters, listen! Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor by worldly standards to be rich in terms of faith? Hasn’t God chosen the poor as heirs of the kingdom he has promised to those who love him? Catholic Public Domain Version My most beloved brothers, listen. Has not God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that God has promised to those who love him? Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Hearken, my dearest brethren: hath not God chosen the poor in this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God hath promised to them that love him? |
[how] blind people are receiving back their sight, and crippled people are walking [again], and people with infectious skin diseases are being healed, and deaf-mutes are hearing [and speaking (?) again], and people are being raised [from the dead], and poor people are having the good news preached to them.
Then the King will say to those at His right side, ‘You who are blessed by my Father, come and receive the kingdom which has been prepared for you since the creation of the world,
“Those persons who feel a deep sense of their personal need are blessed because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
Then He called the crowd to Him again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand [what I am saying].
This is [the way it will be with] the person who stores up treasures for himself, and [yet] is not rich toward God [i.e., does place enough importance on spiritual things].”
“[And], do not be afraid, little flock [Note: Jesus refers to His small band of disciples as sheep following Him as their Shepherd], for your Father was pleased to give you the kingdom.
And it happened that the beggar died and [his spirit] was carried away by angels to a place close to Abraham. And the rich man also died and [his body] was buried.
But Abraham said [to him], ‘Son, remember how you enjoyed good things when you were alive [on earth] and how Lazarus had to put up with bad things? But now here [i.e., in the unseen place of departed spirits] he is being comforted and you are in agony.
and just as my Father assigned a kingdom to me, so I am assigning a kingdom to you,
Then He looked at His disciples and said, “Those of you who have a [sense of personal] need are blessed, because the kingdom of God belongs to you.
And he answered, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me: Our glorious God appeared to our forefather Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, [even] before he lived in Haran
And if we are [His] children, then we have an inheritance from God [i.e., blessings here and hereafter] and are fellow-sharers with Christ [of such blessings], providing we [are willing to] suffer with Him, so we can also be honored with Him [i.e., in the future life. See verses 18-25].
But as it is written [Isa. 64:4], “The things which no eye saw or ear heard, and which did not [even] enter the mind of men, is what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
For everything [i.e., that we have experienced. See verses 8-12] is for your sakes so that [God’s] unearned favor, being extended to so many, [in bringing them salvation through Paul’s ministry] may result in much thanksgiving in praise to God.
sad and yet always joyous; poor and yet making many people [spiritually] rich; destitute and yet possessing everything.
For you know the unearned favor of our Lord Jesus Christ, [how] that even though He was rich, He became poor for your sakes, so that through His poverty you people could become [spiritually] rich.
I pray that your minds will be enlightened so that you will know what the hope is, to which God has called you, and what the glorious abundance is, of God’s inheritance in the saints [Note: Paul wanted them to appreciate the value God placed on them],
This favor of preaching the unfathomable riches of Christ to the Gentiles was given to me [even though] I am the least significant of all saints [i.e., God’s holy people].
and urging you to live up to the standards of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and splendor.
The way you are faithfully enduring [such] suffering for the kingdom of God is clear evidence that God’s judgment is right in [eventually] counting you worthy of it [i.e., of entering the eternal phase of the kingdom].
[Urge them] to do what is good, to be rich in [the practice of] good deeds, to be generous and willing to share [with others].
The Lord will [continue to] rescue me from all harm and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. May He be praised forever and ever. May it be so.
So, now there is a crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, who is a just Judge, will award me on that day [i.e., the Judgment Day], and not to me only, but also to everyone who has loved [the prospect of] His appearing.
He considered suffering ridicule for Christ’s sake to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking forward to his reward.
The person who perseveres under trials is blessed, because when he has been approved by God, he will receive the crown of [never ending] life, which God has promised to those who love Him.
You people [already] know this [or, “you should know this”], my dearly loved brothers. However, every person should be quick to listen, slow to talk and slow in becoming angry.
But the person [who must live] in humble circumstances should be happy over being lifted up [spiritually by God].
Through Him we have an inheritance that cannot be corrupted or contaminated, and will never disappear; it is reserved in heaven for you.
For in this way, you will be provided with a rich welcome into the never ending kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ [i.e., in heaven].
I know [about] your suffering and your poverty (but you are [really] rich), and the slander of those who say they are Jews, though they [really] are not, but are a synagogue of Satan [i.e., they claimed to be an assembly of God’s people, but in reality were serving Satan].
The person who has victory [in the Christian life] will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be my child.
[Because of that], I advise you to buy from me gold, refined by fire, so that you will become rich; and white clothing to wear, so that you can cover yourself and not be seen as shamefully naked; and eye drops for your eyes, so that you can see. [Note: The foregoing all refer to taking measures for becoming more spiritual].