Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Reverence, Humility, and Contentment

5 ^[a]Guard your steps when you go to the house of God; to draw near to listen is better than the sacrifice offered by fools, for they do not know how to keep from doing evil.^{[b](A) 2 [c]}Never be rash with your mouth nor let your heart be quick to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you upon earth; therefore let your words be few.^(B)

³ For dreams come with many cares, and a fool’s voice with many words.

⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay fulfilling it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Fulfill what you vow.^{(C) 5} It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not fulfill it.^{(D) 6} Do not let your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake; why should God be angry at your words and destroy the work of your hands?

⁷ With many dreams come vanities and a multitude of words,^[d] but fear God.^(E)