Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Why, 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. New Living Translation How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. English Standard Version yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Berean Standard Bible 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. Berean Literal Bible who know not what is on the next day. What is your life? It is just a vapor, appearing for a little while, and then vanishing. King James Bible Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. New King James Version whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. New American Standard Bible Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. NASB 1995 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. NASB 1977 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Legacy Standard Bible Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Amplified Bible Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air]. Christian Standard Bible Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes. Holman Christian Standard Bible You don’t even know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes. American Standard Version whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life? For ye are a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Contemporary English Version What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears. English Revised Version whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life? For ye are a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. GOD'S WORD® Translation You don't know what will happen tomorrow. What is life? You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears. Good News Translation You don't even know what your life tomorrow will be! You are like a puff of smoke, which appears for a moment and then disappears. International Standard Version You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Majority Standard Bible 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. NET Bible You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like? For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes. New Heart English Bible Whereas you do not know what tomorrow will be like. What is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Webster's Bible Translation Whereas ye know not what will be on the morrow: For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Weymouth New Testament when, all the while, you do not even know what will happen to-morrow. For what is the nature of your life? Why, it is but a mist, which appears for a short time and then is seen no more. World English Bible Yet you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionwho does not know the thing of tomorrow; for what is your life? For it is a vapor that is appearing for a little [while], and then is vanishing; Berean Literal Bible who know not what is on the next day. What is your life? It is just a vapor, appearing for a little while, and then vanishing. Young's Literal Translation who do not know the thing of the morrow; for what is your life? for it is a vapour that is appearing for a little, and then is vanishing; Smith's Literal Translation (Which know not that of the morrow. For what your life? For it is a steam, appearing for a little, and then invisible.) Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhereas you know not what shall be on the morrow. Catholic Public Domain Version consider that you do not know what will be tomorrow. New American Bible you have no idea what your life will be like tomorrow. You are a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears. New Revised Standard Version Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThey do not know what will happen tomorrow! For what is our life? It is but a vapour, which appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And they do not know what tomorrow is. What are our lives except a vapor that appears for a little while and vanishes and passes away? NT Translations Anderson New Testamentand yet you know not what will take place tomorrow. For what is your life? Is it not, indeed, a vapor, that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away? Godbey New Testament whosoever do not know that which belongs to the morrow: for what is your life? For you are a vapor, appearing for a moment, and then vanishing away; Haweis New Testament though ye know nothing of what shall be to-morrow. For what is your life? It is but a vapour which appeareth for a little while, and then vanishes away. Mace New Testament how do you know, what will happen to-morrow? for, "what is your life?" a vapour that just appears, and then vanishes. Weymouth New Testament when, all the while, you do not even know what will happen to-morrow. For what is the nature of your life? Why, it is but a mist, which appears for a short time and then is seen no more. Worrell New Testament (ye who, indeed, know nothing of to-morrow! what is your life? for ye are a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away); Worsley New Testament (though ye know not what will be on the morrow; for what is your life? a vapor, which appeareth for a little while, and then vanisheth away:) whereas ye ought to say, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Do Not Boast of Tomorrow13Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” 14You 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. 15Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”… Cross References Psalm 39:5 You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah Job 7:7 Remember that my life is but a breath. My eyes will never again see happiness. Psalm 102:3 For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers. Psalm 144:4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow. Ecclesiastes 1:2 “Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!” Ecclesiastes 6:12 For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun? Ecclesiastes 12:8 “Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!” Isaiah 40:6-7 A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. Job 14:1-2 “Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure. 1 Peter 1:24 For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, Matthew 6:30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Luke 12:20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ 1 Corinthians 7:31 and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away. 1 John 2:17 The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. Hebrews 9:27 Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment, Treasury of Scripture Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. It is. James 1:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. Job 7:6,7 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope… Job 9:25,26 Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good… Jump to Previous Appeareth Appears Disappearing Life Mist Morrow Nature Short Time Tomorrow To-Morrow Vanishes Vanisheth Vapor Vapour WhereasJump to Next Appeareth Appears Disappearing Life Mist Morrow Nature Short Time Tomorrow To-Morrow Vanishes Vanisheth Vapor Vapour WhereasJames 4 1. We are to strive against covetousness;4. intemperance; 5. pride; 11. detraction and rash judgment of others; 13. and not to be boastful of our future plans. You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! This phrase emphasizes human limitations and the uncertainty of life. In biblical context, it reflects the wisdom literature, such as Proverbs 27:1, which advises against boasting about the future. The unpredictability of life is a theme throughout Scripture, reminding believers of their dependence on God’s sovereignty. Historically, this would resonate with early Christians who faced persecution and uncertainty about their future. It underscores the need for humility and trust in God’s plan, as seen in Matthew 6:34, where Jesus teaches not to worry about tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Persons / Places / Events 1. JamesThe author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus. He was a leader in the early Jerusalem church and wrote to Jewish Christians scattered among the nations. 2. Jewish Christians The primary audience of the Epistle of James, who were facing trials and needed guidance on living out their faith practically. 3. The Early Church The context in which James wrote, characterized by persecution, dispersion, and the need for strong community ethics and faith. Teaching Points The Uncertainty of LifeLife is unpredictable, and we should not presume upon the future. This calls for humility and reliance on God’s will. The Brevity of Life Our lives are like a mist, emphasizing the importance of living with an eternal perspective and prioritizing what truly matters. Dependence on God Recognizing our limitations should lead us to trust in God’s sovereignty and seek His guidance in our plans. Living Purposefully Given the shortness of life, we should focus on living purposefully, aligning our actions with God’s will and making the most of our time. Eternal Perspective Understanding the temporary nature of life should encourage us to invest in eternal treasures and relationships.(14) Whereas ye know not . . . .--Read, Whereas ye know not aught of the morrow--what, i.e., the event may be. The hopeless misery of the unfaithful servant comes into mind at this; he has left the greater business to perform the less; or, it may be, said in heart, "My lord delayeth his coming," and so has begun "to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken." And lo! the thunder of the chariot wheels, the flash of the avenging sword, the "portion with the hypocrites," the "weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Read Matthew 24:42-51.) For what is your life? It is even a vapour.--The rebuke is stronger still, the home-thrust more sharp and piercing--Ye are even a vapour: ye yourselves, and all belonging to you; not merely life itself, for that confessedly is a breath; and many a man, acknowledging so much, counts of the morrow that he may lay up in store for other wants besides his own. A vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away (or, disappeareth).--There is a play upon words to mark the sad antithesis. The vision of life vanisheth as it came; and thus even a heathen poet says-- "Dust we are, and a shadow." (Comp. Wisdom Of Solomon 5:9-14.) Verse 14 fortifies the rebuke of ver. 13 by showing the folly of their action; cf. Proverbs 27:1, "Boast not thyself of tomorrow (τὰ εἰς αὔριον), for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Whereas ye know not; rather, seeing that, or, inasmuch as ye know not, etc. (οἵτινες οὐκ ἐπίστασθε). The text in this verse again in a somewhat disorganized condition, but the general drift is clear. We should probably read, Οἵτινες οὐκ ἐπίστασθε τὸ τῆς αὔριον ποίαἡ ζωὴ ὑμῶν ἀτμὶς γὰρ ἐστε ἡ πρὸς ὀλίγον φαινομένη ἔπειτα καὶ ἀφανιζομένη, R.V., "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life? For ye are a vapor, our that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away."Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Youοἵτινες (hoitines) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3748: Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever. do not even know ἐπίστασθε (epistasthe) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 1987: To know, know of, understand. Apparently a middle voice of ephistemi; to put the mind upon, i.e. Comprehend, or be acquainted with. what [will happen] τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. tomorrow! αὔριον (aurion) Adverb Strong's 839: Tomorrow. From a derivative of the same as aer; properly, fresh, i.e. to-morrow. What [is] ποία (poia) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 4169: Of what sort. From the base of pou and hoios; individualizing interrogative what sort of, or which one. your ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. life? ζωὴ (zōē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 2222: Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life. You are ἐστε (este) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. a mist ἀτμὶς (atmis) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 822: Breath, steam, vapor. From the same as aer; mist. that appears φαινομένη (phainomenē) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 5316: Prolongation for the base of phos; to lighten, i.e. Show. for a little [while] ὀλίγον (oligon) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3641: Puny; especially neuter somewhat. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. then ἔπειτα (epeita) Adverb Strong's 1899: Then, thereafter, afterwards. From epi and eita; thereafter. vanishes. ἀφανιζομένη (aphanizomenē) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 853: From aphanes; to render unapparent, i.e. consume, or disappear. Links James 4:14 NIVJames 4:14 NLT James 4:14 ESV James 4:14 NASB James 4:14 KJV James 4:14 BibleApps.com James 4:14 Biblia Paralela James 4:14 Chinese Bible James 4:14 French Bible James 4:14 Catholic Bible NT Letters: James 4:14 Whereas you don't know what your life (Ja Jas. Jam) |
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