⁵ And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

³ The king stood by the pillar^(A) and renewed the covenant^(B) in the presence of the Lord—to follow^(C) the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.

⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it.^(A) He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.^{(B) 5} It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.^(C)

Oaths

³³ “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath,^(A) but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’^(B)

¹³ All who would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, were to be put to death,^(A) whether small or great, man or woman. ¹⁴ They took an oath to the Lord with loud acclamation, with shouting and with trumpets and horns.