Ecclesiastes 5:1-6
New International Version
Fulfill Your Vow to God
5 [a]Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
2 Do not be quick with your mouth,
do not be hasty in your heart
to utter anything before God.(A)
God is in heaven
and you are on earth,
so let your words be few.(B)
3 A dream(C) comes when there are many cares,
and many words mark the speech of a fool.(D)
4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it.(E) He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.(F) 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.(G) 6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 5:1 In Hebrew texts 5:1 is numbered 4:17, and 5:2-20 is numbered 5:1-19.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-6
New King James Version
Fear God, Keep Your Vows
5 Walk (A)prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather (B)than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.
2 Do not be (C)rash with your mouth,
And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.
For God is in heaven, and you on earth;
Therefore let your words (D)be few.
3 For a dream comes through much activity,
And (E)a fool’s voice is known by his many words.
4 (F)When you make a vow to God, do not delay to (G)pay it;
For He has no pleasure in fools.
Pay what you have vowed—
5 (H)Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.
6 Do not let your (I)mouth cause your flesh to sin, (J)nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your [a]excuse and destroy the work of your hands?
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ecclesiastes 5:6 Lit. voice
Matthew 5:33-37
New International Version
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) 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all:(C) either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;(D) 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.(E) 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;(F) anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[a](G)
Footnotes
- Matthew 5:37 Or from evil
Matthew 5:33-37
New King James Version
Jesus Forbids Oaths
33 “Again you have heard that (A)it was said to those of [a]old, (B)‘You shall not swear falsely, but (C)shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, (D)do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is (E)God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of (F)the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 (G)But let [b]your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 5:33 ancient times
- Matthew 5:37 Lit. your word be yes yes
James 1:19
New International Version
Listening and Doing
19 My dear brothers and sisters,(A) take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak(B) and slow to become angry,
James 1:19
New King James Version
Qualities Needed in Trials
19 [a]So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, (A)slow to speak, (B)slow to wrath;
Read full chapterFootnotes
- James 1:19 NU Know this or This you know
Proverbs 10:19
New International Version
19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
but the prudent hold their tongues.(A)
Proverbs 10:19
New King James Version
Proverbs 17:27
New International Version
Proverbs 17:27
New King James Version
27 (A)He who has knowledge spares his words,
And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.