Ecclesiastes 5:6

⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow.

⁵ It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.

Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?

⁷ For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.

⁸ If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them.

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

Compare

BSB: Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?
KJV: Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
WEB: Don’t allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don’t protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?
ASV: Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that is was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?
DARBY: Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an inadvertence. Wherefore should God be wroth at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?
BLB: Do not give your mouth to cause your flesh to sin, and do not say before the face of the messenger that it [was] an error. Why should God be angry concerning your voice and destroy the work of your hands?

ÅB: La ikke din munn føre synd over ditt legeme og si ikke til Guds sendebud[^1]: Det var av vanvare jeg gjorde det! Hvorfor skal Gud harmes over din tale og ødelegge dine henders verk?
OTB: La ikke munnen føre deg til synd, og si ikke foran Guds budbærer at det var en feil. Hvorfor skulle Gud bli sint på dine ord og ødelegge dine henders verk?
B1930: La ikke din munn føre synd over ditt legeme og si ikke til Guds sendebud: Det var av vanvare jeg gjorde det! Hvorfor skal Gud harmes over din tale og ødelegge dine henders verk? / < d.e. presten; MLK 2, 7.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

James 1:26
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.
Read in context
2 John 1:8
Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.
Read in context
James 3:2
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
Read in context
Ecclesiastes 5:1–2
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
Read in context
Malachi 2:7
For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.
Read in context
Leviticus 5:4–6
Or if someone swears thoughtlessly with his lips to do anything good or evil—in whatever matter a man may rashly pronounce an oath—even if he is unaware of it, when he realizes it, he is guilty in the matter.
Read in context
Genesis 48:16
the angel who has redeemed me from all harm— may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.”
Read in context
1 Corinthians 3:13–15
his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.
Read in context