Ecclesiastes 4:15-5:12

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

¹⁵ I saw all the living who, moving about under the sun, follow that^[a] youth who replaced the king;^{[b] 16} there was no end to all those people whom he led.^[c] Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.^(A)

Reverence, Humility, and Contentment

5 ^[d]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.^{[e](B) 2 [f]}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.^(C)

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.^{(D) 5} It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not fulfill it.^{(E) 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,^[g] but fear God.^(F)

⁸ If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and right, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.^{(G) 9} But all things considered, this is an advantage for a land: a king for a plowed field.^[h]

¹⁰ The lover of money will not be satisfied with money, nor the lover of wealth with gain. This also is vanity.^(H)

¹¹ When goods increase, those who eat them increase, and what gain has their owner but to see them with his eyes?

¹² Sweet is the sleep of laborers, whether they eat little or much, but the abundance of the rich will not let them sleep.^(I)