Ecclesiastes 4:13-5:7

English Standard Version

¹³ Better was ^(A)a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how ^(B)to take advice. ¹⁴ For he went ^(C)from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor. ¹⁵ I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that^[a] youth who was to stand in the king's^[b] place. ¹⁶ There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is ^(D)vanity and a striving after wind.

Fear God

5 ^{[c] (E)}Guard your steps when you go to ^(F)the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to ^(G)offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. ^2 [d] 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 ^(H)let your words be few. ³ For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with ^(I)many words.

⁴ When ^(J)you vow a vow to God, ^(K)do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. ^(L)Pay what you vow. ^5 (M)It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. ⁶ Let not your mouth lead you^[e] into sin, and do not say before ^(N)the messenger^[f] that it was ^(O)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;^[g] but^{[h] (P)}God is the one you must fear.