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.

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?

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)

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,