James 5:16

KJV1611 – Modern English

Confess your faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ἐξομολογεῖσθε ἀλλήλοις τὰ παραπτώματα, καὶ εὔχεσθε ὑπὲρ ἀλλήλων, ὅπως ἰαθῆτε. Πολὺ ἰσχύει δέησις δικαίου ἐνεργουμένη.

Transliteration

Exomologeisthe allēlois ta paraptōmata, and euchesthe hyper allēlōn, so that iathēte. Poly ischuei deēsis dikaiou energoumenē.

Grammar Details

• *Exomologeisthe*: present middle imperative, 2nd plural - confess
• *allēlois*: dative, masculine, plural - to one another
• *ta paraptōmata*: accusative, neuter, plural - the trespasses
• *euchesthe*: present middle imperative, 2nd plural - pray
• *hyper*: preposition + genitive - for/on behalf of
• *allēlōn*: genitive, masculine, plural - one another
• *iathēte*: aorist passive subjunctive, 2nd plural - you may be healed
• *Poly*: adverb - much/greatly
• *ischuei*: present active, 3rd singular - is effective/powerful
• *deēsis*: nominative, feminine, singular - prayer/supplication
• *dikaiou*: genitive, masculine, singular - of righteous person
• *energoumenē*: present middle participle, nominative, feminine, singular - working/operating

Word Meanings

• *Exomologeisthe*: confess/acknowledge openly
• *paraptōmata*: trespasses/sins/offenses
• *euchesthe*: pray (formal prayer)
• *iathēte*: you may be healed/cured/made whole (can refer to physical or spiritual healing)
• *ischuei*: is effective/powerful/avails much
• *deēsis*: prayer/supplication/petition
• *dikaiou*: of righteous/just person
• *energoumenē*: working/operating/being effective (middle voice suggesting fervent activity)

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful and effective.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  Confess{G1843} therefore your sins{G3900} one to another,{G240} and{G2532} pray{G2172} one{G240} for{G5228} another,{G240} that{G3704} ye may be healed.{G2390} The {G1754} supplication{G1162} of a righteous man{G1342} availeth{G2480} much{G4183} in its working.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  Confess{G1843}{(G5732)} your faults{G3900} one to another{G240}, and{G2532} pray{G2172}{(G5737)} one{G240} for{G5228} another{G240}, that{G3704} ye may be healed{G2390}{(G5686)}. The effectual fervent{G1754}{(G5734)} prayer{G1162} of a righteous man{G1342} availeth{G2480}{(G5719)} much{G4183}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  knowledge youre fautes one to another: and praye one for another that ye maye be healed. The prayer of a ryghteous ma avayleth moche yf it be fervet.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Knowlege youre fautes one to another: and praye one for another, that ye maye be healed. The prayer of a righteous man auayleth moche, yf it be feruet.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  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.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Knowledge your faultes one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed: For ye feruent prayer of a ryghteous man auayleth much.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

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

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Confess your offenses to one another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effective, earnest prayer of a righteous man is powerfully effective.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  Be confessing to one another the trespasses, and be praying for one another, that ye may be healed; very strong is a working supplication of a righteous man;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  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.

• World English Bible (2000)

  Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.

Referenced Verses

• John 9:31 : 31 Now we know that God does not hear sinners: but if any man is a worshiper of God, and does his will, him he hears.
• Prov 15:29 : 29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
• 1 John 3:22 : 22 And whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
• Ps 34:15 : 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
• Matt 21:22 : 22 And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.
• Acts 19:18 : 18 And many who believed came confessing and disclosing their deeds.
• Luke 11:11-13 : 11 If a son asks bread from any of you who is a father, will you give him a stone? or if he asks for a fish, will you give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will you offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?
• 1 Pet 2:24 : 24 Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.
• Ps 10:17-18 : 17 LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, 18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress no more.
• Jer 29:12-13 : 12 Then you will call upon me, and you will go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.
• Gen 20:17 : 17 So Abraham prayed to God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his female servants; and they bore children.
• Num 11:2 : 2 And the people cried to Moses; and when Moses prayed to the LORD, the fire was quenched.
• Ps 145:18-19 : 18 The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear him; he also will hear their cry and will save them.
• Prov 15:8 : 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
• Job 42:8 : 8 Therefore take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering, and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your foolishness, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.
• Heb 12:13 : 13 And make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
• 1 Thess 5:17 : 17 Pray without ceasing.
• Rom 5:19 : 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one many will be made righteous.
• Luke 18:1-8 : 1 And he spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not lose heart; 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge who did not fear God, nor regard man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I do not fear God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge says. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, who cry day and night to him, though he bears long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?
• 2 Kgs 20:2-5 : 2 Then he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying, 3 I beg You, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before You in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done what is good in Your sight. And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 And it came to pass, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD.
• Prov 28:9 : 9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
• Matt 3:6 : 6 And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
• Gen 18:23-32 : 23 And Abraham drew near and said, Will you also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will you also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are within it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? 26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. 27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord, who am but dust and ashes. 28 Suppose there should lack five of the fifty righteous; will you destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy it. 29 And he spoke to him yet again and said, Suppose there should be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for the sake of forty. 30 And he said to him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak; suppose thirty should be found there. And he said, I will not do it if I find thirty there. 31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty should be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty. 32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but this once; suppose ten should be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.
• Exod 9:28-29 : 28 Entreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer. 29 And Moses said to him, As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD; the thunder shall cease, and there shall be no more hail; that you may know that the earth is the LORD’S.
• Exod 9:33 : 33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread out his hands to the LORD: and the thunder and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured on the earth.
• Exod 17:11 : 11 And it happened, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
• Exod 32:10-14 : 10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and I will make of you a great nation." 11 Moses entreated the LORD his God, and said, "LORD, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people, whom You have brought forth from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, 'He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this evil against Your people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, 'I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.'" 14 So the LORD relented from the evil which He thought to do to His people.
• Gen 19:29 : 29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the middle of the upheaval, when he overthrew the cities in which Lot dwelt.
• Gen 20:7 : 7 Now therefore restore the man his wife, for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for you, and you shall live: and if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you, and all that belong to you.
• Gen 32:28 : 28 And he said, Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince you have power with God and with men, and have prevailed.
• Gen 41:9-9 : 9 Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: 10 Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker.
• 1 Kgs 17:18-24 : 18 And she said to Elijah, What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to remind me of my sin, and to kill my son? 19 And he said to her, Give me your son. And he took him out of her arms, and carried him up into the loft where he stayed, and laid him upon his own bed. 20 And he cried to the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, have You also brought calamity upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son? 21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried to the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray, let this child's soul come back to him again. 22 And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him again, and he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the room into the house, and delivered him to his mother: and Elijah said, See, your son lives. 24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.
• 2 Kgs 4:33-35 : 33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them two, and prayed to the LORD. 34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child grew warm. 35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
• 2 Kgs 19:15-20 : 15 And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, who dwells between the cherubim, you are the God, even you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. 16 LORD, incline your ear, and hear: open, LORD, your eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. 17 Truly, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, 18 And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were not gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. 19 Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beg you, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you are the LORD God, you alone. 20 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus says the LORD God of Israel, That which you have prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.
• Num 21:7-9 : 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against you; pray to the LORD, that He take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the LORD said to Moses, Make a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that everyone that is bitten, when he looks upon it, shall live. 9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
• Deut 9:18-20 : 18 And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread nor drink water, because of all your sins which you sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. 19 For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, with which the LORD was angry against you to destroy you. But the LORD listened to me at that time also. 20 And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to destroy him: and I prayed for Aaron also at that time.
• Josh 10:12 : 12 Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.
• Matt 7:7-9 : 7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man among you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him?
• Dan 9:20-22 : 20 And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; 21 Yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me at the time of the evening offering. 22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill and understanding.
• Jer 33:3 : 3 Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
• 2 Chr 30:20 : 20 And the LORD listened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.
• 2 Chr 32:20-22 : 20 And for this reason, Hezekiah the king and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz prayed and cried to heaven. 21 And the LORD sent an angel who destroyed all the mighty men of valor and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame on his face to his own land. And when he entered the house of his god, his own sons killed him with the sword there. 22 Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side.
• Luke 7:3-4 : 3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent to him the elders of the Jews, pleading with him that he would come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
• Acts 4:24-31 : 24 And when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said, Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 Who by the mouth of Your servant David has said, Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ. 27 For truly against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 To do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 By stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy servant Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
• Acts 10:38 : 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with him.
• Acts 12:5-9 : 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but constant prayer was made to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison. He struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, 'Arise quickly!' And his chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, 'Get dressed and put on your sandals.' And he did so. And he said to him, 'Wrap your cloak around yourself and follow me.' 9 And he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them by itself; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, 'Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent his angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.'
• Col 1:9 : 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
• Rom 3:10 : 10 As it is written, 'There is none righteous, no, not one:'
• 1 Thess 5:23 : 23 And may the very God of peace sanctify you completely; and I pray God your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• 1 Thess 5:25 : 25 Brothers, pray for us.
• Heb 11:7 : 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household; by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
• Heb 13:18 : 18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honorably.
• Heb 11:4 : 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead still speaks.
• Luke 9:6 : 6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
• 2 Chr 14:11-12 : 11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, 'LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many, or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You.' 12 So the LORD struck the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled.
• 1 Kgs 13:6 : 6 And the king answered and said to the man of God, Entreat now the favor of the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me again. And the man of God entreated the LORD, and the king's hand was restored to him again, and became as it was before.
• Dan 2:18-23 : 18 That they would seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then was the secret revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever: for wisdom and might are his. 21 And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings and sets up kings: he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who know understanding. 22 He reveals deep and secret things: he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. 23 I thank you, and praise you, O God of my fathers, who has given me wisdom and might, and has made known to me now what we desired of you: for you have now made known to us the king's matter.
• Jer 15:1 : 1 Then the LORD said to me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.
• Hos 12:3-4 : 3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: 4 Yes, he had power over the angel, and prevailed; he wept and made supplication to him; he found him in Bethel, and there He spoke with us;
• Matt 18:15-17 : 15 Moreover if your brother trespasses against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone: if he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear you, then take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church: but if he refuses to hear the church, let him be to you as a heathen and a tax collector.
• Num 14:13-20 : 13 And Moses said to the LORD, Then the Egyptians will hear it, (for you brought up this people in your might from among them;) 14 And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that you LORD are among this people, that you LORD are seen face to face, and that your cloud stands over them, and that you go before them, by day in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night. 15 Now if you shall kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of you will speak, saying, 16 Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he swore to them, therefore he has slain them in the wilderness. 17 And now, I beseech you, let the power of my Lord be great, according as you have spoken, saying, 18 The LORD is longsuffering and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation. 19 Pardon, I beseech you, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your mercy, and as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. 20 And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to your word:
• 1 Sam 12:18 : 18 So Samuel called to the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
• 2 Sam 19:19 : 19 And said to the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity to me, neither remember what your servant did perversely the day my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.