Read Scripture In A Year: June 10

Passage 1: Judges 7-8

(Jdg 7:1) Then Ierubbaal (who is Gideon) rose vp early, and all the people that were with him, and pitched beside the well of Harod, so that the hoste of the Midianites was on the Northside of them in the valley by the hill of Moreh.

(Jdg 7:2) And the Lord said vnto Gideon, The people that are with thee, are too many for me to giue the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel make their vaunt against me, and say, Mine hand hath saued mee.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that [are] with thee [are] too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel (a) vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.

(a) God will not that any creature deprive him of his glory.

(Jdg 7:3) Now therefore proclaime in the audience of the people, and say, Who so is timerous or fearefull, let him returne, and depart earely from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people which were at mount Gilead, two and twentie thousand: so ten thousand remayned.

(Jdg 7:4) And the Lord said vnto Gideon, The people are yet too many: bring them downe vnto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and of whome I say vnto thee, This man shall goe with thee, the same shall go with thee: and of whomsoeuer I say vnto thee, This man shall not goe with thee, the same shall not go.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people [are] yet [too] many; bring them down unto the water, and I will (b) try them for thee there: and it shall be, [that] of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.

(b) I will give you a proof to know those who will go with you.

(Jdg 7:5) So he brought downe the people vnto the water. And the Lord sayd vnto Gideon, As many as lap the water with their tongues, as a dog lappeth, them put by themselues, and euery one that shall bow downe his knees to drinke, put apart.

(Notes Reference) So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; (c) likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.

(Jdg 7:6) And the nomber of them that lapped by putting their handes to their mouthes, were three hundreth men: but all the remnant of the people kneeled downe vpon their knees to drinke water.

(Jdg 7:7) Then the Lord sayde vnto Gideon, By these three hundreth men that lapped, will I saue you, and deliuer the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go euery man vnto his place.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the [other] (d) people go every man unto his place.

(d) That is, the 31,000 and 700. See (Jdg 7:3,6).

(Jdg 7:8) So the people tooke vitailes with them, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel, euery man vnto his tent, and reteined the three hundreth men: and the hoste of Midian was beneath him in a valley.

(Jdg 7:9) And the same night the Lord sayde vnto him, Arise, get thee downe vnto the hoste: for I haue deliuered it into thine hand.

(Notes Reference) And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, (e) get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.

(e) Thus the Lord by various means strengthens him, that he faint not in so great an enterprise.

(Jdg 7:10) But if thou feare to go downe, then go thou, and Phurah thy seruant downe to the hoste,

(Jdg 7:11) And thou shalt hearken what they say, and so shall thine handes be strong to go downe vnto the hoste. Then went he downe and Phurah his seruant vnto the outside of the souldiers that were in the hoste.

(Jdg 7:12) And the Midianites, and the Amalekites and all they of the East, lay in the valley like grashoppers in multitude, and their camels were without nomber, as the sande which is by the sea side for multitude.

(Jdg 7:13) And when Gideon was come, beholde, a man tolde a dreame vnto his neighbour, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dreame, and lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled from aboue into the hoste of Midian, and came vnto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and ouerturned it, that the tent fell downe.

(Notes Reference) And when Gideon was come, behold, [there was] a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a (f) cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.

(f) Some read, a trembling noise of barley bread: meaning, that one of no reputation would make their great army tremble.

(Jdg 7:14) And his fellow answered, and sayde, This is nothing els saue the sworde of Gideon the sonne of Ioash a man of Israel: for into his hande hath God deliuered Midian and all the hoste.

(Jdg 7:15) When Gideon heard the dreame tolde, and the interpretation of the same, he worshipped, and returned vnto the hoste of Israel, and said, Vp: for the Lord hath deliuered into your hande the hoste of Midian.

(Notes Reference) And it was [so], when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he (g) worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.

(g) Or, gave God thanks, as it is in the Chaldea text.

(Jdg 7:16) And hee deuided the three hundreth men into three bandes, and gaue euery man a trumpet in his hande with emptie pitchers, and lampes within the pitchers.

(Notes Reference) And he divided the three hundred men [into] three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps (h) within the pitchers.

(h) These weak means God used to signify that the whole victory came from him.

(Jdg 7:17) And he sayd vnto them, Looke on me, and do likewise, when I come to the side of the hoste: euen as I do, so do you.

(Jdg 7:18) When I blowe with a trumpet and all that are with me, blowe ye with trumpets also on euery side of the hoste, and say, For the Lord, and for Gideon.

(Notes Reference) When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that [are] with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, (i) [The sword] of the LORD, and of Gideon.

(i) That is, the victory shall be the Lord's and Gideon's his servant.

(Jdg 7:19) So Gideon and the hundreth men that were with him, came vnto the outside of the hoste, in the beginning of the middle watche, and they raised vp the watchmen, and they blew with their trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their handes.

(Jdg 7:20) And the three companies blew with trumpets and brake the pitchers, and helde the lampes in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right. handes to blowe withall: and they cryed, The sword of the Lord and of Gideon.

(Notes Reference) And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow [withal]: and they cried, The (k) sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.

(k) Shall destroy the enemies.

(Jdg 7:21) And they stoode, euery man in his place round about the hoste: and all the hoste ranne, and cryed, and fled.

(Jdg 7:22) And the three hundreth blewe with trumpets, and the Lord set euery mans sworde vpon his neighbour, and vpon all the hoste: so the hoste fled to Beth-hashittah in Zererah, and to the border of Abel-meholah, vnto Tabbath.

(Notes Reference) And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his (l) fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, [and] to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.

(l) The Lord caused the Midianites to kill one another.

(Jdg 7:23) Then the men of Israel being gathered together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, pursued after the Midianites.

(Jdg 7:24) And Gideon sent messengers vnto all mount Ephraim, saying, Come downe against the Midianites, and take before them the waters vnto Beth-barah, and Iorden. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered together and tooke the waters vnto Beth-barah, and Iorden.

(Notes Reference) And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the (m) waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.

(m) Meaning, the passages or the fords so they could not escape.

(Jdg 7:25) And they tooke two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb, and slew Oreb vpon the rocke Oreb, and slewe Zeeb at the winepresse of Zeeb, and pursued the Midianites, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon beyonde Iorden.

(Notes Reference) And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at (n) the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.

(n) These places got their names from the acts that were done there.

(Jdg 8:1) Then the men of Ephraim sayde vnto him, Why hast thou serued vs thus that thou calledst vs not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? and they chode with him sharply.

(Notes Reference) And the men of Ephraim said unto him, (a) Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.

(a) They began to object, because he had the glory of the victory.

(Jdg 8:2) To whom he said, What haue I now done in comparison of you? is not the gleaning of grapes of Ephraim better, then the vintage of Abiezer?

(Notes Reference) And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of (b) you? [Is] not the (c) gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?

(b) Who have slain two princes, Oreb and Zeeb.

(Jdg 8:3) God hath deliuered into your handes the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? and when he had thus spoken, then their spirits abated toward him.

(Jdg 8:4) And Gideon came to Iorden to passe ouer, hee, and the three hundreth men that were with him, weary, yet pursuing them.

(Jdg 8:5) And he said vnto the men of Succoth, Giue, I pray you, morsels of bread vnto the people that follow me (for they be wearie) that I may follow after Zebah, and Zalmunna Kings of Midian.

(Notes Reference) And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, (d) loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they [be] faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.

(d) Or, some small portion.

(Jdg 8:6) And the princes of Succoth sayde, Are the handes of Zebah and Zalmunna nowe in thine hads, that we should giue bread vnto thine army?

(Notes Reference) And the princes of Succoth said, [Are] the (e) hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?

(e) Because you have overcome a handful, do you think to have overcome the whole?

(Jdg 8:7) Gideon then sayde, Therefore when the Lord hath deliuered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, I will teare your flesh with thornes of the wildernes and with breers.

(Jdg 8:8) And he went vp thence to Penuel, and spake vnto them likewise, and the men of Penuel answered him, as the men of Succoth answered.

(Jdg 8:9) And he sayd also vnto the men of Penuel, When I come againe in peace, I will breake downe this towre.

(Notes Reference) And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again (f) in peace, I will break down this tower.

(f) Having gotten the victory.

(Jdg 8:10) Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hostes with them, about fifteene thousande, all that were left of all the hostes of them of the East: for there was slaine an hundreth and twentie thousand men, that drew swordes.

(Notes Reference) Now Zebah and Zalmunna [were] (g) in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand [men], all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.

(g) A city east of Jordan.

(Jdg 8:11) And Gideon went through them that dwelt in Tabernacles on the East side of Nobah and Iogbehah, and smote the hoste: for the hoste was carelesse.

(Notes Reference) And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in (h) tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.

(h) He went by the wilderness where the Arabians dwelt in tents.

(Jdg 8:12) And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, hee followed after them, and tooke the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the hoste.

(Jdg 8:13) So Gideon the sonne of Ioash returned from battel, the sunne being yet hie,

(Notes Reference) And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle (i) before the sun [was up],

(i) Some read, the sun being yet high.

(Jdg 8:14) And tooke a seruant of the me of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he wrote to him the princes of Succoth and the Elders thereof, euen seuentie and seuen men.

(Jdg 8:15) And he came vnto the men of Succoth, and sayd, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, by whome ye vpbrayded me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in thine hands, that we should giue bread vnto thy weary men?

(Jdg 8:16) Then he tooke the Elders of the citie, and thornes of the wildernes and breers, and did teare the men of Succoth with them.

(Jdg 8:17) Also he brake downe the towre of Penuel, and slew the men of the citie.

(Jdg 8:18) Then saide he vnto Zebah and Zalmunna, What maner of men were they, whom ye slew at Tabor? and they answered, As thou art, so were they: euery one was like the children of a King.

(Jdg 8:19) And he said, They were my brethren, euen my mothers children: as the Lord liueth, if ye had saued their liues, I would not slay you.

(Notes Reference) And he said, They [were] my brethren, [even] the (k) sons of my mother: [as] the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.

(k) We all came from the same womb: therefore I will be revenged.

(Jdg 8:20) Then he sayde vnto Iether his first borne sonne, Vp, and slay them: but the boy drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet yong.

(Jdg 8:21) Then Zebah and Zalmunna sayd, Rise thou, and fall vpon vs: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and tooke away the ornamentes, that were on their camels neckes.

(Notes Reference) Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for (l) as the man [is, so is] his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that [were] on their camels' necks.

(l) Meaning, that they would be freed from their pain at once, or else have a valiant man put them to death.

(Jdg 8:22) Then the men of Israel sayd vnto Gideon, Reigne thou ouer vs, both thou, and thy sonne, and thy sonnes sonne: for thou hast deliuered vs out of the hand of Midian.

(Notes Reference) Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy (m) son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.

(m) That is, thy posterity.

(Jdg 8:23) And Gideon sayde vnto them, I will not reigne ouer you, neither shall my childe reigne ouer you, but the Lord shall reigne ouer you.

(Jdg 8:24) Againe Gideon sayd vnto them, I would desire a request of you, that you would giue mee euery man the earings of his pray (for they had golden earings because they were Ismaelites)

(Notes Reference) And Gideon said unto them, (n) I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they [were] Ishmaelites.)

(n) His intent was to show himself thankful for this victory by restoring religion, which because it was not according to God's command, turned to their destruction.

(Jdg 8:25) And they answered, Wee will giue them. And they spred a garment, and did cast therein euery man the earings of his pray.

(Jdg 8:26) And the weight of the golden earings that he required, was a thousande and seuen hundreth shekels of golde, beside collers and iewels, and purple rayment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the cheynes that were about their camels neckes.

(Jdg 8:27) And Gideon made an Ephod thereof, and put it in Ophrah his citie: and all Israel went a whoring there after it, which was the destruction of Gideon and his house.

(Notes Reference) And Gideon made an (o) ephod thereof, and put it in his city, [even] in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.

(o) That is, such things as pertained to the use of the tabernacle. See ephod, (Exo 28:4, Exo 28:6; Jdg 17:5; 1Sa 2:18; 2Sa 6:14).

(Jdg 8:28) Thus was Midian brought lowe before the children of Israel, so that they lift vp their heads no more: and the countrey was in quietnes fourtie yeeres in the dayes of Gideon.

(Jdg 8:29) Then Ierubbaal the sonne of Ioash went, and dwelt in his owne house.

(Jdg 8:30) And Gideon had seuentie sonnes begotten of his body: for he had many wiues.

(Jdg 8:31) And his concubine that was in Shechem, bare him a sonne also, whose name he called Abimelech.

(Jdg 8:32) So Gideon the sonne of Ioash dyed in a good age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Ioash his father in Ophrah, of the father of ye Ezrites.

(Notes Reference) And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in (p) Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

(p) A city belonging to the family of the Ezrites.

(Jdg 8:33) But when Gideon was dead, the children of Israel turned away and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baal-berith their God.

(Notes Reference) And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made (q) Baalberith their god.

(q) That is, Baal, to whom they had bound themselves by covenant.

(Jdg 8:34) And the children of Israel remembred not the Lord their God, which had deliuered the out of the hands of all their enemies on euery side.

(Jdg 8:35) Neither shewed they mercy on the house of Ierubbaal, or Gideon, according to al the goodnesse which he had shewed vnto Israel.

(Notes Reference) Neither (r) shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, [namely], Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.

(r) They were unmindful of God and unkind to him, by whom they had received so great a benefit.

Passage 2: Isaiah 34

(Isa 34:1) Come neere, ye nations and heare, and hearken, ye people: let the earth heare and all that is therein, the world and al that proceedeth thereof.

(Notes Reference) Come near, ye (a) nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is in it; the world, and all things that spring from it.

(a) He prophecies of the destruction of the Edomites and other nations which were enemies to the Church.

(Isa 34:2) For the indignation of the Lord is vpon all nations, and his wrath vpon all their armies: hee hath destroyed them and deliuered them to the slaughter.

(Notes Reference) For the indignation of the LORD [is] upon all nations, and [his] fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly (b) destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.

(b) God has determined in his counsel and has given sentence for their destruction.

(Isa 34:3) And their slaine shalbe cast out, and their stincke shall come vp out of their bodies, and the mountaines shalbe melted with their blood.

(Isa 34:4) And all the hoste of heauen shalbe dissolued, and the heauens shall be folden like a booke: and all their hostes shall fall as the leafe falleth from the vine, and as it falleth from the figtree.

(Notes Reference) And all the host of heaven (c) shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their hosts shall fall down, as the leaf falleth from the vine, and as a falling [fig] from the fig tree.

(c) He speaks this in respect to man's judgment, who in great fear and horrible troubles, think that heaven and earth perishes.

(Isa 34:5) For my sword shalbe drunken in the heauen: beholde, it shall come downe vpon Edom, euen vpon the people of my curse to iudgement.

(Notes Reference) For my sword shall be (d) bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Edom, and upon the people of (e) my curse, to judgment.

(d) I have determined in my secret counsel and in the heavens to destroy them till my sword is weary with shedding blood.

(e) They had an opinion of holiness, because they came from the patriarch Isaac, but in effect were cursed by God, and enemies to his Church as the papists are.

(Isa 34:6) The sword of the Lord is filled with blood: it is made fat with the fat and with the blood of the lambes and the goates, with the fat of the kidneis of the rams: for the Lord hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Edom.

(Notes Reference) The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, [and] with the blood of (f) lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in (g) Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Edom.

(f) That is, both of young and old, poor and rich of his enemies.

(g) That famous city will be consumed as a sacrifice burnt to ashes.

(Isa 34:7) And the vnicorne shall come downe with them and the heiffers with the bulles, and their lande shalbe drunken with blood, and their dust made fat with fatnesse.

(Notes Reference) And the (h) unicorns shall come down with them, and the bulls with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.

(h) The mighty and rich will be as well destroyed as the inferiors.

(Isa 34:8) For it is the day of the Lordes vengeance, and the yeere of recompence for the iudgement of Zion.

(Isa 34:9) And the riuers thereof shall be turned into pitche, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shalbe burning pitch.

(Notes Reference) And its streams shall be turned into pitch, and its dust into (i) brimstone, and its land shall become burning pitch.

(i) He alludes to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, (Gen 19:24).

(Isa 34:10) It shall not be quenched night nor day: the smoke thereof shall goe vp euermore: it shall be desolate from generation to generation: none shall passe through it for euer.

(Isa 34:11) But the pelicane and the hedgehog shall possesse it, and the great owle, and the rauen shall dwel in it, and he shall stretch out vpon it the line of vanitie, and the stones of emptinesse.

(Notes Reference) But the cormorant (k) and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of (l) confusion, and the stones of emptiness.

(k) Read (Isa 13:21; Zep 2:14).

(l) In vain will any man go about to build it again.

(Isa 34:12) The nobles thereof shall call to the kingdome, and there shalbe none, and all the princes thereof shalbe as nothing.

(Notes Reference) (m) They shall call her nobles to the kingdom, but none [shall be] there, and all her princes shall be nothing.

(m) Meaning, here will be neither order nor policy nor state of commonwealth.

(Isa 34:13) And it shall bring foorth thornes in the palaces thereof, nettles and thistles in the strong holdes thereof, and it shall be an habitation for dragons, and a court for ostriches.

(Isa 34:14) There shall meete also Ziim and Iim, and the Satyre shall cry to his fellow, and the shricheowle shall rest there, and shall finde for her selfe a quiet dwelling.

(Notes Reference) The wild beasts of the desert shall also (n) meet with the wild beasts of the isle, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest.

(n) Read (Isa 13:21).

(Isa 34:15) There shall the owle make her nest, and laye, and hatche, and gather them vnder her shadowe: there shall the vultures also bee gathered, euery one with her make.

(Notes Reference) There (o) shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.

(o) Signifying that Idumea would be a horrible desolation and barren wilderness.

(Isa 34:16) Seeke in the booke of the Lord, and reade: none of these shall fayle, none shall want her make: for his mouth hath commanded, and his very Spirit hath gathered them.

(Notes Reference) Seek ye out of the (p) book of the LORD, and read: no one of (q) these shall fail, none shall lack her mate: for my (r) mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

(p) That is, in the law where such curses are threatened against the wicked.

(q) That is, beasts and souls.

(r) That is, the mouth of the Lord.

(Isa 34:17) And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath deuided it vnto them by line: they shall possesse it for euer: from generation to generation shall they dwell in it.

(Notes Reference) And he hath cast the (s) lot for them, and his hand hath divided it to them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell in it.

(s) He has given the beasts and souls Idumea for an inheritance.

Passage 3: James 5

(Jam 5:1) Goe to nowe, ye rich men: weepe, and howle for your miseries that shall come vpon you.

(Notes Reference) Go (1) to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon [you].

(1) He denounces utter destruction to the wicked and profane rich men, and such as are drowned in their riotousness, mocking their foolish confidence when there is nothing indeed more vain than such things.

(Jam 5:2) Your riches are corrupt, and your garments are moth eaten.

(Jam 5:3) Your gold and siluer is cankred, and the rust of them shalbe a witnesse against you, and shall eate your flesh, as it were fire. Ye haue heaped vp treasure for the last dayes.

(Jam 5:4) Behold, the hire of ye labourers, which haue reaped your fieldes (which is of you kept backe by fraude) cryeth, and the cryes of them which haue reaped, are entred into the eares of the Lord of hostes.

(Notes Reference) Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the (a) ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

(a) The Lord who is more mighty than ye are, hath heard them.

(Jam 5:5) Ye haue liued in pleasure on the earth, and in wantonnes. Ye haue nourished your heartes, as in a day of slaughter.

(Notes Reference) Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have (b) nourished your hearts, as in a (c) day of slaughter.

(b) You have pampered yourselves.

(Jam 5:6) Ye haue condemned and haue killed the iust, and he hath not resisted you.

(Jam 5:7) Be patient therefore, brethren, vnto the comming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman wayteth for the precious fruite of the earth, and hath long patience for it, vntill he receiue the former, and the latter rayne.

(Notes Reference) (2) Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. (3) Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

(2) He applies that to the poor, which he spoke against the rich, warning them to wait for the Lord's coming patiently, who will avenge the injuries which the rich men do to them. (3) The taking away of an objection: Although his coming seems to linger, yet at the least we must follow the farmer, we who do patiently wait for the times that are fitting for the fruits of the earth. And again, God will not postpone the least bit of the time that he has appointed.

(Jam 5:8) Be ye also patient therefore and settle your hearts: for ye comming of the Lord draweth neere.

(Jam 5:9) Grudge not one against another, brethren, least ye be condemned: behold, the iudge standeth before the doore.

(Notes Reference) (4) (d) Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: (5) behold, the judge standeth before the door.

(4) He commends Christian patience, for that which others through impatience use to accuse one another, the faithful on the other hand, do not complain though they receive injury.

(d) By grudging he means a certain inward complaining which indicates impatience. (5) The conclusion: The Lord is at the door and will defend his own and avenge his enemies, and therefore we do not need to trouble ourselves.

(Jam 5:10) Take, my brethren, the Prophets for an ensample of suffering aduersitie, and of long patience, which haue spoken in the Name of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) (6) Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

(6) Because most men will object, that it is good to repel injuries by whatever means, he contrasts that with the examples of the fathers whose patience had a most happy end, because God as a most bountiful Father, never forsakes his.

(Jam 5:11) Beholde, we count them blessed which endure. Ye haue heard of the patience of Iob, and haue knowen what ende the Lord made. For the Lord is very pitifull and mercifull.

(Notes Reference) Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the (e) end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

(e) What end the Lord gave.

(Jam 5:12) But before all thinges, my brethren, sweare not, neither by heauen, nor by earth, nor by any other othe: but let your yea, be yea, and your nay, nay, lest ye fall into condemnation.

(Notes Reference) (7) But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let (f) your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

(7) Because even the best men sometimes through impatience slip and speak oaths sometimes lesser, sometimes greater, the apostle warns us to detest such wickedness, and to accustom our tongues to simple and true talk.

(Jam 5:13) Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merie? Let him sing.

(Notes Reference) (8) Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

(8) He shows the best remedy against all afflictions, that is, prayers which have their place both in sorrow and joy.

(Jam 5:14) Is any sicke among you? Let him call for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray for him, and anoynt him with oyle in the Name of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) (9) Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with (g) oil in the (h) name of the Lord:

(9) He shows peculiarly, to what physicians especially we must go when we are diseased, that is, to the prayers of the elders, which then also could cure the body, (for so much as the gift of healing was then in force) and take away the main cause of sickness and diseases, by obtaining healing for the sick through their prayers and exhortations.

(g) This was a sign of the gift of healing: and now seeing we have the gift no more, the sign is no longer necessary.

(h) By calling on the name of the Lord.

(Jam 5:15) And the prayer of faith shall saue the sicke, and the Lord shall raise him vp: and if he haue committed sinnes, they shalbe forgiuen him.

(Notes Reference) And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed (i) sins, they shall be forgiven him.

(i) He has reason in making mention of sins, for diseases are often sent because of sins.

(Jam 5:16) Acknowledge your faultes one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed: for the prayer of a righteous man auaileth much, if it be feruent.

(Notes Reference) (10) Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. (11) The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

(10) Because God pardons the sins of those who confess and acknowledge them, and not those who justify themselves. Therefore the apostle adds, we ought to freely confer with one another concerning those inward diseases, that we may help one another with our prayers.

(11) He commends prayers by the effects that come of them, that all men may understand that there is nothing more effectual than they are, so that they proceed from a pure mind.

(Jam 5:17) Helias was a man subiect to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rayne, and it rayned not on the earth for three yeeres and sixe moneths.

(Jam 5:18) And he prayed againe, and the heauen gaue rayne, and the earth brought forth her fruite.

(Jam 5:19) Brethren, if any of you hath erred from the trueth, and some man hath conuerted him,

(Notes Reference) (12) Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one (k) convert him;

(12) The taking away of an objection: all rebukes are not condemned, seeing that on the contrary there is nothing more acceptable to God than to call into the holy way, a brother that was wandering out of the way.

(k) Has called him back from his way.

(Jam 5:20) Let him know that he which hath conuerted the sinner from going astray out of his way, shall saue a soule from death, and shall hide a multitude of sinnes.