Ecclesiastes 5

Fear God

1 1 n Guard your steps when you go to o the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to p offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore q let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with r many words.

4 When s you vow a vow to God, t do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. u Pay what you vow. 5 v It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Let not your mouth lead you 3 into sin, and do not say before w the messenger 4 that it was x a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; 5 but y God is the one you must fear.

The Vanity of Wealth and Honor

8 z If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, a do not be amazed at the matter, b for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields. 6

10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 12 Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.

13 c There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, 14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. 15 d As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. 16 This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what e gain is there to him who f toils for the wind? 17 Moreover, all his days he g eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.

18 Behold, what I have seen to be h good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment 7 in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his i lot. 19 Everyone also to whom j God has given k wealth and possessions l and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil - this is m the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

  1. Cross References
    Exodus 3:5
    Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.
    Isaiah 1:12
    When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts?
  2. Cross References
    Genesis 28:17
    And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
  3. Cross References
    Proverbs 15:8
    The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
    1 Samuel 15:22
    And Samuel said, "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord ? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
  4. Cross References
    Matthew 6:7
    And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
  5. Cross References
    Proverbs 10:19
    When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
    Job 11:2
    Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right?
  6. Cross References
    Numbers 30:2
    If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.
  7. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 23:21
    If you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin.
    Psalms 50:14
    Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High.
    Psalms 76:11
    Make your vows to the Lord your God and perform them; let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared.
  8. Cross References
    Psalms 66:13 - 14
    I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will perform my vows to you.
  9. Cross References
    Proverbs 20:25
    It is a snare to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after making vows.
    Acts 5:4
    While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.
  10. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 11:10
    That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
  11. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 10:5
    There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:
    Numbers 15:25 - 26
    And the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the people of Israel, and they shall be forgiven, because it was a mistake, and they have brought their offering, a food offering to the Lord, and their sin offering before the Lord for their mistake.
  12. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 12:13
    The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
  13. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 3:16
    Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.
    Ecclesiastes 4:1
    Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them.
  14. Cross References
    1 Peter 4:12
    Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
  15. Cross References
    Psalms 12:5
    "Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise," says the Lord ; "I will place him in the safety for which he longs."
    Psalms 58:11
    Mankind will say, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.
    Psalms 82:1
    God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
  16. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 6:1
    There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind:
  17. Cross References
    Job 1:21
    And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
  18. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 1:3
    What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?
  19. Cross References
    Proverbs 11:29
    Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
  20. Cross References
    Psalms 127:2
    It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
  21. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 2:24
    There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God.
  22. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 2:10
    And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil.
  23. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 6:2
    A man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil.
    Ecclesiastes 2:24
    There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God.
  24. Cross References
    2 Chronicles 1:11
    God answered Solomon, "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king.
  25. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 6:2
    A man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil.
  26. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 3:13
    Also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil - this is God's gift to man.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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