Ecclesiastes 5:5

Better that thou shouldest not vow,—than vow, and not pay.

The Emphasised Bible by J. B. Rotherham

In The King James Version

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

In Context

4When thou vowest a vow unto God, do not defer to pay it, for there is no pleasure in dullards,—what thou vowest, pay!

6Do not let thy mouth cause thy flesh to sin,—neither say thou, before the messenger, that it was, a mistake,—wherefore should God be indignant at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?

Read all of Ecclesiastes 5

Cross References

Deuteronomy 23:22But, if thou refrain from vowing, it shall not be in thee sin.

Malachi 2:7For, the lips of a priest, should keep knowledge, and, a deliverance, should men seek at his mouth,— for, the messenger of Yahweh of hosts, he is.

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 →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 5:5