Ecclesiastes 5:7
5 It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.
6 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?
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.
9 The produce of the earth is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.
- KJV
- For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
- WEB
- For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words; but you must fear God.
- ASV
- For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, and in many words: but fear thou God.
- DARBY
- For in the multitude of dreams are vanities; so with many words: but fear God.
- BLB
- For in an abundance of dreams, vapors and words abound, but you must fear God.
- ÅB
- For hvor det er mange drømmer, er det også mye tomhet, og likeså hvor det er mange ord. Frykt heller Gud!
- OTB
- For i mange drømmer og mange ord er det tomhet. I stedet, stå i ærefrykt for Gud.
- B1930
- For hvor det er mange drømmer, er det også megen tomhet, og likeså hvor det er mange ord. Frykt heller Gud!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Matthew 12:36
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 12:13
When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 8:12
Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 5:3
As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.
Read in contextIsaiah 50:10–11
Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God.
Read in contextProverbs 23:17
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always continue in the fear of the LORD.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 7:18
It is good to grasp the one and not let the other slip from your hand. For he who fears God will follow both warnings.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 3:14
I know that everything God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God does it so that they should fear Him.
Read in context