richmahn_en_tn/jas/05/12.md

## Above all ##

This is an idiom that can be translated as "This is important" or "Especially"

## my brothers ##

"my fellow believers"

##  do not swear ##

to "swear" is to say that you will do it and to be held accountable by a higher authority. alternate translation: "do not make an oath" or "do not make a vow."

## either by heaven nor by the earth - ##

**  The words "heaven" and "earth" are metonyms that refers to the powers that are in heaven and earth. See UDB. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

## your "Yes" mean "Yes" and your "No" mean "No" ##

This could be translated as "do what you say you will do without making an oath."

## so you will not fall under judgment ##

"so God will not punish you"