2 Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.
Ecclesiastes 5:2
Semantically similar passages
Ecclesiastes 5:5–7
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? 7 For as many drea…
Proverbs 10:18–20
18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. 19 When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. 20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.
Sirach 32:7–9
7 Speak, young man, if you are obliged to, but no more than twice, and only if asked. (WEB) 8 Sum up your speech, many things in few words. Be as one who knows and yet holds his tongue. (WEB) 9 When among great men, don’t behave as their equal. When another is speaking, don’t ba… (WEB)
Sirach 7:13–15
13 Refuse to utter a lie, for that habit results in no good. (WEB) 14 Don’t babble in the assembly of elders. Don’t repeat your words in your prayer. (WEB) 15 Don’t hate hard labor or farm work, which the Most High has created. (WEB)
Sirach 18:22–24
22 Let nothing hinder you to pay your vow in due time. Don’t wait until death to be released. (WEB) 23 Before you make a vow, prepare yourself. Don’t be like a man who tests the Lord. (WEB) 24 Think about the wrath coming in the days of the end, and the time of vengeance, when he t… (WEB)
Sirach 11:7–9
7 Don’t blame before you investigate. Understand first, and then rebuke. (WEB) 8 Don’t answer before you have heard. Don’t interrupt while someone else is speaking. (WEB) 9 Don’t argue about a matter that doesn’t concern you. Don’t sit with sinners when they judge. (WEB)
Deuteronomy 23:20–22
20 You may charge a foreigner interest, but not your brother, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything to which you put your hand in the land that you are entering to possess. 21 If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because…
Ecclesiastes 7:8–10
8 The end of a matter is better than the beginning, and a patient spirit is better than a proud one. 9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool. 10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is unwise of you…
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