Caution in God’s Presence

5 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to approach in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do,^(A) for they ignorantly do wrong. ² Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.^{(B) 3} Just as dreams accompany much labor, so also a fool’s voice comes with many words.^{(C) 4} When you make a vow to God,^(D) don’t delay fulfilling it, because he does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow. ⁵ Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it.^{(E) 6} Do not let your mouth bring guilt on you,^(F) and do not say in the presence of the messenger that it was a mistake.^(G) Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷ For many dreams bring futility; so do many words.^(H) Therefore, fear God.