James 4:16
14 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”
As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil.
17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil.
- KJV
- But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
- WEB
- But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil.
- ASV
- But now ye glory in your vauntings: all such glorying is evil.
- DARBY
- But now ye glory in your vauntings: all such glorying is evil.
- BLB
- But now you⁺ boast in your⁺ arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
- ÅB
- Men nå roser dere dere i deres overmot. All slik ros er ond.
- OTB
- Men som det står, skryter dere i deres arrogante planer. All slik skryt er ondt.
- B1930
- Men nu roser I eder i eders overmot. All sådan ros er ond.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
Read in context1 Corinthians 5:6
Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough?
Read in contextPsalms 52:7
“Look at the man who did not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his wealth and strengthened himself by destruction.”
Read in contextProverbs 25:14
Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
Read in contextIsaiah 47:10
You were secure in your wickedness; you said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray; you told yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’
Read in contextRevelation 18:7
As much as she has glorified herself and lived in luxury, give her the same measure of torment and grief. In her heart she says, ‘I sit as queen; I am not a widow and will never see grief.’
Read in contextJames 3:14
But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.
Read in context1 Corinthians 4:7–8
For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
Read in context