Ecclesiastes 5

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