When (A)you vow a vow to God, (B)do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. (C)Pay what you vow. (D)It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you[a] into sin, and do not say before (E)the messenger[b] that it was (F)a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity;[c] but[d] (G)God is the one you must fear.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 5:6 Hebrew your flesh
  2. Ecclesiastes 5:6 Or angel
  3. Ecclesiastes 5:7 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verse 10 (see note on 1:2)
  4. Ecclesiastes 5:7 Or For when dreams and vanities increase, words also grow many; but

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