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. 3 As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow.
Ecclesiastes 5:2–4
Semantically similar passages
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…
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 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)
Ecclesiastes 10:13–15
13 The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. 14 Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him? 15 The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
Proverbs 29:19–21
19 A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond. 20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 21 A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end.
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)
Proverbs 20:24–26
24 A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way? 25 It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows. 26 A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
Proverbs 29:10–12
10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life. 11 A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back. 12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.
Search the collection All books and codes Translations and sources