Ecclesiastes 5:2 web — Don't be rash with your mouth, and don't let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, an…

World English Bible

"Don't be rash with your mouth, and don't let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore let your words be few."

— Ecclesiastes 5:2, World English Bible

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

Ecclesiastes 5:2 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Ecclesiastes 5 — Context

1

Guard your steps when you go to God's house; for to draw near to listen is better than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they don't know that they do evil.

2

Don't be rash with your mouth, and don't let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

3

For as a dream comes with a multitude of cares, so a fool's speech with a multitude of words.

4

When you vow a vow to God, don't defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow.

5

It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 5:2 say?
Ecclesiastes 5:2 in the World English Bible reads: “Don't be rash with your mouth, and don't let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore let your words be few.”
Where is Ecclesiastes 5:2 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 5:2 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 5, verse 2.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 5:2.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 5:2 in?
Ecclesiastes 5:2 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 5:2?
Ecclesiastes 5:2 reads (WEB): “Don't be rash with your mouth, and don't let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore let your words be few.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
GodsGoodBook logo

GodsGoodBook

Making God's Word accessible to everyone

Experience the Bible like never before with multiple translations, powerful search tools, and features to make God's Word personal to you. Completely free, forever.

Features

15+ Bible Translations
Powerful Search Tools
Highlight & Annotate
Share Verses
100% Free Forever
© 2025 GodsGoodBookVersion 1.8.2