Ecclesiastes 5:5

Better is it that thou shouldest not vowe, then that thou shouldest vowe and not pay.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
- American Standard Version (1901)

It is better not to take an oath than to take an oath and not keep it.
- Basic English Bible

Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
- Darby Bible

Better is it that thou shouldst not vow, than that thou shouldst vow and not pay.
- Webster's Bible

It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.
- World English Bible

Better that thou do not vow, than that thou dost vow and dost not complete.
- Youngs Literal Bible

(5:4) Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Wesley's Notes for Ecclesiastes 5:5

5:3 A dream - When men are oppressed with business in the day, they dream of it in the night. Is known - It discovers the man to be a foolish, and rash, and inconsiderate man. Of words - Either in prayer, or in vowing, by making many rash vows, of which he speaks ver.#4|, 5, 6, and then returns to the mention of multitude of dreams and many words, ver.#7|, which verse may be a comment upon this, and which makes it probable that both that and this verse are to be understood of vows rather than of prayers.

5:4 In fools - In perfidious persons, who, when they are in distress, make liberal vows, and when the danger is past, break them.

5:6 Thy mouth - By any rash vow. Thy flesh - Thyself, the word flesh being often put for the whole man. The angel - The priest or ministers of holy things. Such persons are often called angels, or, as this Hebrew word is commonly rendered, messengers. And this title seems to be given to the priest here, because the vow made to God, was paid to the priest as one standing and acting in God's name and stead, and it belonged to him, as God's angel or ambassador, to discharge persons from their vows when there was just occasion. It was - I did unadvisedly in making such a vow. Angry - Why wilt thou provoke God to anger at these frivolous excuses? Destroy - Blast all thy labours, and particularly that work or enterprize for the success whereof thou didst make these vows.

5:7 For - There is a great deal of folly, as in multitude of dreams, which for the most part are vain and insignificant, so also in many words, in making many vows whereby a man is exposed to many snares and temptations. But - Fear the wrath of God, and therefore be sparing in making vows, and just in performing them.