1 a5:1 This v. is 4:17 in MT Watch your step whenever you visit God’s house, and come more ready to listen than to offer a fool’s sacrifice, since fools b5:1 Lit. they never think they’re doing evil. ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:1
2 c5:2 This v. is 5:1 in MT, and so throughout the chapter. Don’t be impulsive with your mouth nor be in a hurry to talk in God’s presence. Since God is in heaven and you’re on earth, keep your speech short. ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:2
3 Too many worries lead to nightmares, and a fool is known from talking too much. ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:3
4 When you make a promise to God, don’t fail to keep it, since he isn’t pleased with fools. Keep what you promise— ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:4
5 it’s better that you don’t promise than that you do promise and not follow through. d5:5 Or not pay ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:5
6 Never let your mouth cause you e5:6 Lit. cause your body to sin and don’t proclaim in the presence of the angel, f5:6 LXX reads of God “My promise g5:6 Lit. It was a mistake,” for why should God be angry at your excuse h5:6 Lit. voice and destroy what you’ve undertaken? ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:6
7 In spite of many daydreams, pointless actions, and empty words, it is more important to fear God. ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:7
8 Don’t be surprised when you see the poor oppressed and the violent perverting both justice and verdicts i5:8 Or judgment in a province, for one high official watches another, and there are ones higher still over them. ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:8
9 Also, the increase of the land belongs to everyone; the king himself is served by his j5:9 The Heb. lacks his field. ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:9
10 Whoever loves money will never have enough money. Whoever loves luxury will not be content with abundance. This also is pointless. ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:10
11 When possessions increase, so does the number of consumers; therefore what good are they to their owners, except to look at them? ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:11
12 Sweet is the sleep of a working man, whether he eats a little or a lot, but the excess wealth of the rich will not allow him to rest. ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:12
13 I have observed a painful tragedy on earth: Wealth hoarded by its owner harms him, ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:13
14 and that wealth is lost in troubled circumstances. Then a son is born, but there is nothing left for him. k5:14 Lit. nothing in his hand ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:14
15 Just as he came naked from his mother’s womb, he will leave l5:15 Lit. return as naked as he came; he will receive no profit from his efforts— he cannot carry away even a handful. ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:15
16 This is also a painful tragedy: However a person comes, he also departs; so what does he gain as he labors after the wind? ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:16
17 Furthermore, all his days he lives m5:17 Lit. eats in darkness with great sorrow, anger, and affliction. ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:17
18 Look! I observed that it is good and prudent to eat, drink, and enjoy all that is good of a person’s n5:18 Lit. of his work that he does on earth during the limited days of his life, which God gives him, for this is his allotment. ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:18
19 Furthermore, for every person to whom God has given wealth, riches, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept this allotment, and to rejoice in his work—this is a gift from God. ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:19
20 For he will not brood much over the days of his life, since God will keep him occupied with the joys of his heart. ISV — Ecclesiastes 5:20