James 5:16 bbe — So then, make a statement of your sins to one another, and say prayers for one another so that you may be made well. Th…

Bible in Basic English

"So then, make a statement of your sins to one another, and say prayers for one another so that you may be made well. The prayer of a good man is full of power in its working."

— James 5:16, Bible in Basic English

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James 5:16 in Other Translations

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James 5 — Context

13

Is anyone among you in trouble? let him say prayers. Is anyone glad? let him make a song of praise.

14

Is anyone among you ill? let him send for the rulers of the church; and let them say prayers over him, putting oil on him in the name of the Lord.

15

And by the prayer of faith the man who is ill will be made well, and he will be lifted up by the Lord, and for any sin which he has done he will have forgiveness.

16

So then, make a statement of your sins to one another, and say prayers for one another so that you may be made well. The prayer of a good man is full of power in its working.

17

Elijah was a man of flesh and blood as we are, and he made a strong prayer that there might be no rain; and there was no rain on the earth for three years and six months.

18

And he made another prayer, and the heaven sent down rain and the earth gave her fruit.

19

My brothers, if one of you has gone out of the way of the true faith and another has made him see his error,

James 5:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does James 5:16 say?
James 5:16 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “So then, make a statement of your sins to one another, and say prayers for one another so that you may be made well. The prayer of a good man is full of power in its working.”
Where is James 5:16 in the Bible?
James 5:16 is found in the New Testament, in the book of James, chapter 5, verse 16.
Who wrote James?
James is traditionally attributed to James, half-brother of Jesus, leader of the Jerusalem church. It was written c. AD 44–49.
What is the book of James about?
James is the New Testament's closest cousin to Old-Testament wisdom literature — pungent, practical, and uncompromising. Faith without works is dead. The tongue is a fire. The prayers of a righteous man avail much. It calls Christians to walk their talk.
What are the major themes of James?
James explores themes including Faith and Works, Wisdom, Speech, Suffering, Prayer. These themes shape the meaning and context of James 5:16.
What translation should I read James 5:16 in?
James 5:16 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize James 5:16?
James 5:16 reads (BBE): “So then, make a statement of your sins to one another, and say prayers for one another so that you may be made well. The prayer of a good man is full of power in its working.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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