Ecclesiastes 5:1–7

CAUTION IN GOD’S PRESENCE

5 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to approach in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do,z for they ignorantly do wrong. 2 Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.aa 3 Just as dreams accompany much labor, so also a fool’s voice comes with many words.ab 4 When you make a vow to God,ac don’t delay fulfilling it, because he does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow. 5 Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it.ad 6 Do not let your mouth bring guilt on you,ae and do not say in the presence of the messenger that it was a mistake.af Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For many dreams bring futility; so do many words.ag Therefore, fear God.