Ecclesiastes 5:2-9

English Standard Version

^2 [a] Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore ^(A)let your words be few. ³ For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with ^(B)many words.

⁴ When ^(C)you vow a vow to God, ^(D)do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. ^(E)Pay what you vow. ^5 (F)It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. ⁶ Let not your mouth lead you^[b] into sin, and do not say before ^(G)the messenger^[c] that it was ^(H)a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷ For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity;^[d] but^{[e] (I)}God is the one you must fear.

The Vanity of Wealth and Honor

^8 (J)If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, ^(K)do not be amazed at the matter, ^(L)for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. ⁹ But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.^[f]