James 4:13
New International Version
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”

New Living Translation
Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.”

English Standard Version
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—

Berean Standard Bible
Come 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.”

Berean Literal Bible
Come now, those saying, "Today or tomorrow we will go into this city, and will spend a year there, and will trade, and will make a profit,"

King James Bible
Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

New King James Version
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”;

New American Standard Bible
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.”

NASB 1995
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.”

NASB 1977
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.”

Amplified Bible
Come now [and pay attention to this], you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and carry on our business and make a profit.”

Christian Standard Bible
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.”

American Standard Version
Come now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into this city, and spend a year there, and trade, and get gain:

Contemporary English Version
You should know better than to say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to the city. We will do business there for a year and make a lot of money!"

English Revised Version
Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into this city, and spend a year there, and trade, and get gain:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Pay attention to this! You're saying, "Today or tomorrow we will go into some city, stay there a year, conduct business, and make money."

Good News Translation
Now listen to me, you that say, "Today or tomorrow we will travel to a certain city, where we will stay a year and go into business and make a lot of money."

International Standard Version
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town, stay there a year, conduct business, and make money."

Majority Standard Bible
Come now, you who say, ?Today and tomorrow let us go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.?

NET Bible
Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit."

New Heart English Bible
Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow let us go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit."

Webster's Bible Translation
Come now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy, and sell, and get gain:

Weymouth New Testament
Come, you who say, "To-day or to-morrow we will go to this or that city, and spend a year there and carry on a successful business,"

World English Bible
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow let’s go into this city and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Go, now, you who are saying, “Today and tomorrow we will go on to such a city, and will pass there one year, and traffic, and make gain,”

Berean Literal Bible
Come now, those saying, "Today or tomorrow we will go into this city, and will spend a year there, and will trade, and will make a profit,"

Young's Literal Translation
Go, now, ye who are saying, 'To-day and to-morrow we will go on to such a city, and will pass there one year, and traffic, and make gain;'

Smith's Literal Translation
Come on now, ye saying, To day or to morrow let us go to this city, and do there one year, and let us trade, and derive profit:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But who art thou that judgest thy neighbour? Behold, now you that say: To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and there we will spend a year, and will traffic, and make our gain.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But who are you to judge your neighbor? Consider this, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into that city, and certainly we will spend a year there, and we will do business, and we will make our profit,”

New American Bible
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we shall go into such and such a town, spend a year there doing business, and make a profit”—

New Revised Standard Version
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
What then shall we say of those who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to a certain city, and will work there a year, and will trade and prosper?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But what shall we say about those who say: “Today or tomorrow we shall go to a city, where we shall also work one year; there we shall earn wages and make profits?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Come, now, you that say, Let us go today, or tomorrow, into this city, and remain there a year, and trade, and make gain;

Godbey New Testament
Come now, ye who are saying, To-day or to-morrow we will go into that city, and abide there a year, and trade and accumulate:

Haweis New Testament
Come now, ye that talk, To-day or to-morrow we will go to such a town, and do business there during one year, and traffic, and make great profits:

Mace New Testament
As for you, who affirm, "to-day, or, to-morrow we will go to such a city, we will stay there a whole year, there we will traffic, and find our account."

Weymouth New Testament
Come, you who say, "To-day or to-morrow we will go to this or that city, and spend a year there and carry on a successful business,"

Worrell New Testament
Come now, ye who say, "To-day or to-morrow we will go into this city, and spend one year there, and trade, and get gain,"

Worsley New Testament
Come now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go to such a city, and spend a year there, and trade and get gain;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Boast of Tomorrow
12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? 13Come 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.…

Cross References
Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Luke 12:16-21
Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ / Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods. ...

Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.

Ecclesiastes 11:4-6
He who watches the wind will fail to sow, and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap. / As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. / Sow your seed in the morning, and do not rest your hands in the evening, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or if both will equally prosper.

Job 7:6-7
My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle; they come to an end without hope. / Remember that my life is but a breath. My eyes will never again see happiness.

Isaiah 56:12
“Come, let me get the wine, let us imbibe the strong drink, and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!”

1 Corinthians 4:19
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have.

Psalm 39:5-6
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 / Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.

Matthew 16:26
What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

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,

Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Luke 9:25
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self?

Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.

Acts 18:21
But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.


Treasury of Scripture

Go to now, you that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

Go to.

James 5:1
Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

Genesis 11:3,4,7
And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter…

Ecclesiastes 2:1
I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.

To day.

Proverbs 27:1
Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Isaiah 56:12
Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

Luke 12:17-20
And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? …

and buy.

Isaiah 24:2
And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.

Isaiah 56:11
Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

Ezekiel 7:12
The time is come, the day draweth near: let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: for wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.

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James 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.














Come now
This phrase serves as a call to attention, urging the reader or listener to pause and consider the message that follows. In the Greek, "Ἄγε νῦν" (age nyn) is an imperative, suggesting urgency and importance. It is a rhetorical device used by James to engage his audience, drawing them into a moment of reflection and self-examination. Historically, this approach is consistent with the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, where the reader is often called to listen and heed wise counsel.

you who say
This phrase identifies the audience James is addressing—those who make presumptive plans without considering God's will. The Greek "οἱ λέγοντες" (hoi legontes) implies an ongoing action, suggesting that this is a habitual mindset. In the broader scriptural context, this reflects a common human tendency to rely on one's own understanding and plans, reminiscent of Proverbs 3:5-6, which advises trust in the Lord over one's own insight.

Today or tomorrow
These words highlight the immediacy and certainty with which people often plan their lives. The Greek "σήμερον ἢ αὔριον" (sēmeron ē aurion) underscores the presumption of control over time, a concept that is challenged throughout scripture. The historical context of the early Christian church, which faced persecution and uncertainty, would have made this presumption particularly poignant, reminding believers of the transient nature of life.

we will go to this or that city
This phrase reflects the mobility and commercial activity of the time. The Greek "πορευσόμεθα εἰς τήνδε τὴν πόλιν" (poreusometha eis tēnde tēn polin) suggests a confident assertion of future actions. In the historical context of the Roman Empire, travel and trade were common, yet James challenges the assumption that such plans are within human control, pointing instead to the sovereignty of God over all endeavors.

spend a year there
This indicates a specific timeframe for the plans being made. The Greek "ποιήσομεν ἐκεῖ ἐνιαυτόν" (poiēsomen ekei eniauton) conveys a sense of settled intention. Biblically, the concept of time is often linked to God's purposes, as seen in Ecclesiastes 3:1, which speaks of a time for every activity under heaven. James reminds his audience that human plans are subject to divine will.

carry on business
This phrase refers to the commercial activities intended to generate profit. The Greek "ἐμπορευσόμεθα" (emporeusometha) is related to the word for trade or commerce. In the scriptural context, business is not condemned, but the attitude of self-reliance and exclusion of God from one's plans is. The Bible consistently teaches that all endeavors should be undertaken with a recognition of God's ultimate authority and provision.

and make a profit
The desire for profit is a natural human inclination, yet James warns against the presumption that success is guaranteed. The Greek "καὶ κερδήσομεν" (kai kerdēsomen) implies a confident expectation of gain. Historically, profit was a common goal in the trade-oriented society of the time, but James echoes the biblical theme that true gain is found in alignment with God's will, as seen in Matthew 6:19-21, which advises storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth.

(13) Ye that say . . . .--The Apostle would reason next with the worldly; not merely those abandoned to pleasure, but any and all absorbed in the quest of gain or advancement. The original is represented a little more closely, thus: Today and tomorrow we will go into this city, and spend a year there, and trade and get gain. "Mortals think all men mortal but themselves;" yet who does not boast himself of tomorrow (Proverbs 27:1), in spite of a thousand proverbs; and reckon on the wondrous chance of

"That untravelled world, whose margin fades

For ever and for ever as he roams?"

Verses 13-17. - DENUNCIATION OF OVER-WEENING CONFIDENCE IN OUR OWN PLANS AND OUR ABILITY TO PERFORM THEM. Verse 13. - Go to; Ἄγε, properly, the imperative, but here used adverbially, a usage common in Greek prose, and found again in James 5:1. (For the word, comp. Judy. 19:6; 2 Kings 4:24; and for similar instances of the singular where more than one person is referred to, see Wetstein, col. 2. p. 676.) The Received Text (Stephens) requires some correction in this verse. Read, σήμερον η} αὔριον with א, B; the futures πορεύσομεθα ποιήσομεν ἐμπορευσόμεθα and κερδήσομεν (B, Latt., Syriac) instead of the subjunctives; and omit ἔνα after ἐνιαυτόν, with a, B, Latt., Coptic. Continue there a year; rather, spend a year there, ἐνιαυτὸν being the object of the verb and not the accusative of duration. For ποιεῖν, used of time, cf. Acts 15:33; Acts 18:23; Acts 20:3; 2 Corinthians 11:25. The Latins use facto in the same way; e.g. Cicero, 'Ad Attic.,' 5. 20, "Apamea quinque dies morati... Iconii decem fecimus."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Come
Ἄγε (Age)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 71: A primary verb; properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, go, pass, or induce.

now,
νῦν (nyn)
Adverb
Strong's 3568: A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.

you who
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

say,
λέγοντες (legontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“Today
Σήμερον (Sēmeron)
Adverb
Strong's 4594: Today, now. Neuter of a presumed compound of the article ho and hemera; on the day; generally, now.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

tomorrow
αὔριον (aurion)
Adverb
Strong's 839: Tomorrow. From a derivative of the same as aer; properly, fresh, i.e. to-morrow.

we will go
πορευσόμεθα (poreusometha)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 4198: To travel, journey, go, die.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

this or that
τήνδε (tēnde)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3592: This here, this, that, he, she, it.

city,
πόλιν (polin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.

spend
ποιήσομεν (poiēsomen)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

a year
ἐνιαυτὸν (eniauton)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1763: A year, cycle of time. Prolongation from a primary enos; a year.

there,
ἐκεῖ (ekei)
Adverb
Strong's 1563: (a) there, yonder, in that place, (b) thither, there. Of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither.

carry on business,
ἐμπορευσόμεθα (emporeusometha)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1710: From en and poreuomai; to travel in, i.e. to trade.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

make a profit.”
κερδήσομεν (kerdēsomen)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2770: To gain, acquire, win (over), avoid loss. From kerdos; to gain.


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NT Letters: James 4:13 Come now you who say Today (Ja Jas. Jam)
James 4:12
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