51 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.
51 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
51 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.
51 And a final word to you arrogant rich: Take some lessons in lament. You'll need buckets for the tears when the crash comes upon you.
51 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!
51 Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on James 5:1
Commentary on James 5:1-6
(Read James 5:1-6)
Public troubles are most grievous to those who live in pleasure, and are secure and sensual, though all ranks suffer deeply at such times. All idolized treasures will soon perish, except as they will rise up in judgment against their possessors. Take heed of defrauding and oppressing; and avoid the very appearance of it. God does not forbid us to use lawful pleasures; but to live in pleasure, especially sinful pleasure, is a provoking sin. Is it no harm for people to unfit themselves for minding the concerns of their souls, by indulging bodily appetites? The just may be condemned and killed; but when such suffer by oppressors, this is marked by God. Above all their other crimes, the Jews had condemned and crucified that Just One who had come among them, even Jesus Christ the righteous.