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Ecclesiastes 5:2

Words and speechPrayerHumilityFear

1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

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Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.
KJV
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
WEB
Don’t be rash with your mouth, and don’t let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore let your words be few.
ASV
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
DARBY
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in the heavens, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few.
BLB
Do not be rash with your mouth, and do not let your heart hurry to bring out a word before the face of God; for God [is] in the heavens, and you [are] upon the earth—upon thus, let your words be few.
ÅB
Vær ikke for snar med din munn, og la ikke ditt hjerte forhaste seg med å bære fram et ord for Guds åsyn! For Gud er i himmelen og du på jorden; la derfor dine ord være få!
OTB
Vær ikke rask med munnen, og la ikke ditt hjerte forhaste seg med å fremføre en sak for Gud. For Gud er i himmelen og du er på jorden, så la dine ord være få.
B1930
Vær ikke for snar med din munn, og la ikke ditt hjerte forhaste sig med å bære frem et ord for Guds åsyn! For Gud er i himmelen og du på jorden; la derfor dine ord være få!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Matthew 6:7

    But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

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  • Proverbs 10:19

    In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 55:9

    For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

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  • Matthew 6:9

    After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

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  • Numbers 30:2–5

    If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

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  • Ecclesiastes 5:7

    For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

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  • Genesis 18:27

    And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:

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  • Ecclesiastes 5:3

    For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

    Read in context