Parallel Bible results for "ecclesiastes 5"

Ecclesiastes 5

New International Version NIV

1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

3 A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool.

4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.

5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.

6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?

7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

8 If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.

9 The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.

10 Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

11 As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them?

12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.

13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,

14 or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit.

15 Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.

16 This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind?

17 All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.

18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.

19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.

20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

New Century Version NCV

1 Be careful when you go to worship at the Temple. It is better to listen than to offer foolish sacrifices without even knowing you are doing wrong.

2 Think before you speak, and be careful about what you say to God. God is in heaven, and you are on the earth, so say only a few words to God.

3 The saying is true: Bad dreams come from too much worrying, and too many words come from foolish people.

4 If you make a promise to God, don't be slow to keep it. God is not happy with fools, so give God what you promised.

5 It is better not to promise anything than to promise something and not do it.

6 Don't let your words cause you to sin, and don't say to the priest at the Temple, "I didn't mean what I promised." If you do, God will become angry with your words and will destroy everything you have worked for.

7 Many useless promises are like so many dreams; they mean nothing. You should respect God.

8 In some places you will see poor people mistreated. Don't be surprised when they are not treated fairly or given their rights. One officer is cheated by a higher officer who in turn is cheated by even higher officers.

9 The wealth of the country is divided up among them all. Even the king makes sure he gets his share of the profits.

10 Whoever loves money will never have enough money; Whoever loves wealth will not be satisfied with it. This is also useless.

11 The more wealth people have, the more friends they have to help spend it. So what do people really gain? They gain nothing except to look at their riches.

12 Those who work hard sleep in peace; it is not important if they eat little or much. But rich people worry about their wealth and cannot sleep.

13 I have seen real misery here on earth: Money saved is a curse to its owners.

14 They lose it all in a bad deal and have nothing to give to their children.

15 People come into this world with nothing, and when they die they leave with nothing. In spite of all their hard work, they leave just as they came.

16 This, too, is real misery: They leave just as they came. So what do they gain from chasing the wind?

17 All they get are days full of sadness and sorrow, and they end up sick, defeated, and angry.

18 I have seen what is best for people here on earth. They should eat and drink and enjoy their work, because the life God has given them on earth is short.

19 God gives some people the ability to enjoy the wealth and property he gives them, as well as the ability to accept their state in life and enjoy their work.

20 They do not worry about how short life is, because God keeps them busy with what they love to do.