Ecclesiastes 5:6
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?
Majority Standard Bible
In The King James Version
In Context
5It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.
7For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.
Cross References
Genesis 48:16the 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.”
Leviticus 27:9If he vows an animal that may be brought as an offering to the LORD, any such animal given to the LORD shall be holy.
Proverbs 23:17Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always continue in the fear of the LORD.
Ecclesiastes 5:1Guard 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.
Hosea 12:4Yes, he struggled with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor; he found Him at Bethel and spoke with Him there—
Haggai 2:14Then Haggai replied, “So it is with this people and this nation before Me, declares the LORD, and so it is with every work of their hands; whatever they offer there is defiled.
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 →