Ecclesiastes 5:5

For better is it that thou make no vowe, then that thou shouldest promise and not pay.

Bible (Bishops')

In The King James Version

Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

In Context

4If thou make a vowe vnto God, be not slacke to perfourme it: As for foolish vowes he hath no pleasure in them: yf thou promise any thyng, pay it.

6Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy fleshe for to sinne, neither say thou before the angell that it is thy ignoraunce: for then God wyll be angry at thy voyce, and destroy all the worke of thyne handes.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 5

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 5:5-9

The Obligation of a Vow. 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. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. 6 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? 7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.… Read the whole commentary →

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Study Ecclesiastes 5:5