Daily Bread

Patience in Suffering

⁷ Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming.^(A) See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting^(B) for the autumn and spring rains.^{(C) 8} You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming^(D) is near.^{(E) 9} Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters,^(F) or you will be judged. The Judge^(G) is standing at the door!^(H)

¹⁰ Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets^(I) who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ As you know, we count as blessed^(J) those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance^(K) and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.^(L) The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.^(M)

¹² Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.^(N)

The Prayer of Faith

¹³ Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.^(O) Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.^{(P) 14} Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders^(Q) of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil^(R) in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer offered in faith^(S) will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins^(T) to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.^(U) The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.^(V)

¹⁷ Elijah was a human being, even as we are.^(W) He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.^{(X) 18} Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.^(Y)

¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth^(Z) and someone should bring that person back,^{(AA) 20} remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save^(AB) them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.^(AC)