James 4:14

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. {G1063} What is your life? For ye are a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Οἵτινες οὐκ ἐπίστασθε τὸ τῆς αὔριον. Ποία γὰρ ἡ ζωὴ ὑμῶν; Ἀτμὶς γάρ ἐστιν, ἡ πρὸς ὀλίγον φαινομένη, ἔπειτα δὲ ἀφανιζομένη.

Transliteration

You who not epistasthe the [matter] of the tomorrow. What kind for the zōē of you? Atmis for estin, the [one] for oligon phainomenē, epeita de aphanizomenē.

Grammar Details

*epistasthe*: present middle/passive indicative, 2nd plural - know/understand
*zōē*: nominative, feminine, singular - life
*Atmis*: nominative, feminine, singular - vapor/mist
*estin*: present active indicative, 3rd singular - is
*oligon*: accusative, neuter, singular - little/small/short [time]
*phainomenē*: present middle/passive participle, nominative, feminine, singular - appearing/becoming visible
*epeita*: adverb - then/thereafter
*de*: conjunction - but/and/now
*aphanizomenē*: present middle/passive participle, nominative, feminine, singular - vanishing/disappearing

Word Meanings

*epistasthe*: know/understand/comprehend
*zōē*: life/existence
*Atmis*: vapor/mist/steam
*estin*: is/exists
*oligon*: little/small/short time
*phainomenē*: appearing/becoming visible/showing itself
*epeita*: then/thereafter/afterwards
*aphanizomenē*: vanishing/disappearing/fading away

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Ps 102:3 : 3 For my days consume away like smoke, And my bones are burned as a firebrand.
1 Pet 1:24 : 24 For, All flesh is as grass, And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth:
Ps 39:5 : 5 Behold, thou hast made my days [as] handbreadths; And my life-time is as nothing before thee: Surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. {H5542}
Job 7:6-7 : 6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, And are spent without hope. 7 Oh remember that my life is a breath: Mine eye shall no more see good.
Job 14:1-2 : 1 Man, that is born of a woman, Is of few days, and full of trouble. 2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: He fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
1 John 2:17 : 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Job 9:25-26 : 25 Now my days are swifter than a post: They flee away, they see no good, 26 They are passed away as the swift ships; As the eagle that swoopeth on the prey.
Jas 1:10 : 10 and the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
1 Pet 4:7 : 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer:
Ps 89:47 : 47 Oh remember how short my time is: For what vanity hast thou created all the children of men!

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

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Eccl 8:7
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Ps 103:15-16
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Job 14:1-2
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73%
1Man, that is born of a woman, Is of few days, and full of trouble.
2He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: He fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
Job 8:9
73%
9(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, Because our days upon earth are a shadow);
1 Pet 1:24
72%
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Ps 39:4-6
3 verses
71%
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Isa 2:22
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