Keraia
James 5

James 5:12

Patience in Suffering · James 5:7–12
Read James 5

Translations

Modern
Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.
Traditional
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Literal
But before all things, my brothers, do not swear, neither by heaven nor the earth nor any other oath. But let your “Yes” be yes, and the “No,” no, so that you might not fall under judgment.
Latin
Ante omnia autem, fratres mei, nolite jurare, neque per cælum, neque per terram, neque aliud quodcumque juramentum. Sit autem sermo vester: Est, est: Non, non: ut non sub judicio decidatis.

Original

Greek
English
Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.

Notes

James 5:12

do not swear: The churches were having serious arguments (4:1–3, 11–12), so James advised them to avoid dishonest oaths by not using any oaths at all (Matt 5:33–37). Swearing an oath in the Lord's name meant asking God to enforce it (Genesis 31:53; 1 Kings 8:31–32). People swore by heaven or earth. They either pretended to be respectful while avoiding speaking God's name or used tricky words to deceive (Matthew 23:16–22). Peter used an oath dishonestly (Matthew 26:71–73). But Paul used one to support his claims (Romans 1:9; 2 Corinthians 1:23). This indicates that the rule against oaths is not absolute.

Parallels

Job 1:1–5

Glossary

Letter of James

Topics

Blasphemy: General Scriptures Concerning Breaking a Vow Breaking Promises Commandments: Other Apostles: Precepts of, Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Conversation: General Scriptures Concerning Cussing Freemasons Keeping Promises Keeping your Word Making a Vow Making Promises Oath: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Oaths: The Jews: Forbidden to Take in the Name of Any Created Thing Pledges Profane Swearing of all Kinds is Desecration of God's Name and is Forbidden Swear Words Swearing Swearing and Cursing Yes be Yes