Ecclesiastes 5:5 akjv — Better is it that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.

American King James Version

"Better is it that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay. "

— Ecclesiastes 5:5, American King James Version

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Ecclesiastes 5:5 in Other Translations

7 versions All translations

Ecclesiastes 5 — Context

2

Be not rash with your mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and you on earth: therefore let your words be few.

3

For a dream comes through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

4

When you vow a vow to God, defer not to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools: pay that which you have vowed.

5

Better is it that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.

6

Suffer not your mouth to cause your flesh to sin; neither say you before the angel, that it was an error: why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?

7

For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear you God. ¶

8

If you see the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regards; and there be higher than they. ¶

Ecclesiastes 5:5 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 5:5 say?
Ecclesiastes 5:5 in the American King James Version reads: “Better is it that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay. ”
Where is Ecclesiastes 5:5 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 5:5 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 5, verse 5.
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 5:5.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 5:5 in?
Ecclesiastes 5:5 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 5:5?
Ecclesiastes 5:5 reads (AKJV): “Better is it that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay. ” 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.
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