Ecclesiastes 5:5

5 Better not to promise at all than to make a promise and not keep it.

Ecclesiastes 5:5 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 5:5

Better [is it] that thou shouldest not vow
For a vow is an arbitrary thing; a man is not bound to make it, and while he vows not, it is in his own power, and at his option, whether he will do this or that, or not; but when he has once vowed, he is then brought under an obligation, and must perform; see ( Acts 5:4 ) ; and therefore it is better not to vow; it is more acceptable to God, and, it is better for a man; than that thou shouldest vow and not pay;
for this shows great weakness and folly, levity and inconstancy, and is resented by the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 5:5 In-Context

3 The more you worry, the more likely you are to have bad dreams, and the more you talk, the more likely you are to say something foolish.

4 So when you make a promise to God, keep it as quickly as possible. He has no use for a fool. Do what you promise to do.

5 Better not to promise at all than to make a promise and not keep it.

6 Don't let your own words lead you into sin, so that you have to tell God's priest that you didn't mean it. Why make God angry with you? Why let him destroy what you have worked for?

7 No matter how much you dream, how much useless work you do, or how much you talk, you must still stand in awe of God.