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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Ecclesiastes 5:2–6

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

22 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 2

  1. Matthew 6:7Rank 1 from verse 2
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    7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

  2. Proverbs 10:19Rank 2 from verse 2
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    19In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

  3. Isaiah 55:9Rank 3 from verse 2
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    9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

  4. Matthew 6:9Rank 4 from verse 2
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    9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

  5. Ecclesiastes 5:3Rank 5 from verse 2
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    3For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

From verse 3

  1. Proverbs 15:2Rank 1 from verse 3
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    2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

  2. Proverbs 10:19Rank 2 from verse 3
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    19In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

  3. Ecclesiastes 10:12–14Rank 3 from verse 3
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    12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

    13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

    14A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

  4. Job 11:2Rank 4 from verse 3
    Open

    2Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?

From verse 4

  1. Numbers 30:2Rank 1 from verse 4
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    2If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

  2. Deuteronomy 23:21–23Rank 2 from verse 4
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    21¶ When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.

    22But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.

    23That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

  3. Psalms 76:11Rank 3 from verse 4
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    11Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

  4. Matthew 5:33Rank 4 from verse 4
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    33¶ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

  5. Psalms 66:13–14Rank 5 from verse 4
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    13I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,

    14Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.

From verse 5

  1. Acts 5:4Rank 1 from verse 5
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    4Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

  2. Deuteronomy 23:22Rank 2 from verse 5
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    22But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.

  3. Proverbs 20:25Rank 3 from verse 5
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    25It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.

From verse 6

  1. James 1:26Rank 1 from verse 6
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    26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

  2. 2 John 1:8Rank 2 from verse 6
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    8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

  3. James 3:2Rank 3 from verse 6
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    2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

  4. Ecclesiastes 5:1–2Rank 4 from verse 6
    Open

    1KEEP thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

    2Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

  5. Malachi 2:7Rank 5 from verse 6
    Open

    7For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 5:2

COMBINED MEANING

rash

↗

Hasty or acting without sufficient thought; spoken or done too quickly.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mouth

↗

Sense 1: The bodily opening used for eating, breathing, and speaking. Sense 2: The opening or entrance of a thing. Sense 3: Speech, utterance, or the agency of speaking.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

let

↗

Sense 1: To allow or permit; in older KJV use, also to hinder or restrain. Sense 2: To lower or send down.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

utter

↗

1. To speak, declare, or make known. 2. Outermost or complete.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heaven

↗

Sense 1: The firmament or expanse above the earth, including the sky and the region of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, and flying creatures. Sense 2: The realm above spoken of as God's throne and dwelling place, and as the place of angels, heavenly beings, and the righteous. Sense 3: By metonymy, God, heavenly authority or source, or those who dwell there.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

upon

↗

1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

earth

↗

Sense 1: The world in distinction from heaven. Sense 2: Dry land, ground, soil, or dust. Sense 3: A land, region, or its inhabitants.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

words

↗

Spoken or written expressions, sayings, statements, messages, commands, promises, reports, or units of meaningful speech.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 5:3

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

dream

↗

Sense 1: Thoughts, images, or visions experienced in sleep. Sense 2: To experience images or thoughts in sleep, especially a vision in a dream.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

multitude

↗

1. A great number or large gathered body of persons, creatures, or forces; a crowd, company, or host. 2. A great number, amount, fullness, or abundance of years, words, deeds, mercies, sins, possessions, waters, or other stated things.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fool

↗

Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

words

↗

Spoken or written expressions, sayings, statements, messages, commands, promises, reports, or units of meaningful speech.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 5:4

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

vowest

↗

Second-person singular present form of vow, meaning to bind oneself by such a promise.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

vow

↗

Sense 1: A solemn promise made to God. Sense 2: To bind oneself by such a promise.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

defer

↗

To delay, postpone, put off, or withhold action until a later time.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

pay

↗

To discharge a debt or obligation; to render what is due, fulfill a promise, reward, or recompense.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fools

↗

Persons lacking wisdom or sound judgment, especially in moral or spiritual conduct.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hast

↗

Sense 1: Have: possess, hold, receive, or experience. Sense 2: Used as an auxiliary verb.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 5:5

COMBINED MEANING

better

↗

Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

vow

↗

Sense 1: A solemn promise made to God. Sense 2: To bind oneself by such a promise.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

pay

↗

To discharge a debt or obligation; to render what is due, fulfill a promise, reward, or recompense.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 5:6

COMBINED MEANING

suffer

↗

1. To permit, allow, let, or tolerate. 2. To endure, bear, experience, undergo, or be subjected to something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mouth

↗

Sense 1: The bodily opening used for eating, breathing, and speaking. Sense 2: The opening or entrance of a thing. Sense 3: Speech, utterance, or the agency of speaking.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cause

↗

Sense 1: A reason, ground, matter in dispute, or judicial case. Sense 2: As a verb, to make something happen.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

flesh

↗

Sense 1: The soft substance of the body. Sense 2: The body, human nature, kindred, or mankind.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sin

↗

1. Wrongdoing against God and his law; transgression or unrighteousness. 2. The guilt or burden of such wrongdoing, or the inward principle so named. 3. As a verb, to commit such wrongdoing.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

neither

↗

1. Also not; nor, introducing or joining a further negative statement or prohibition. 2. Not either, or none, of the alternatives named, commonly in a neither ... nor construction.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

say

↗

Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

angel

↗

Sense 1: A messenger. Sense 2: A heavenly or spiritual messenger, whether holy or fallen as stated.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

error

↗

A mistake, fault, false belief, wrong course, or departure from truth, law, justice, or right.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

wherefore

↗

1. For that reason, or as a conclusion from what precedes; therefore or consequently. 2. For what reason or purpose; why.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

should

↗

A verb expressing duty, propriety, expectation, intention, purpose, condition, appointed outcome, or a future event viewed from another time or statement.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

destroy

↗

Sense 1: To ruin, demolish, consume, or lay waste. Sense 2: To kill or cut off. Sense 3: To cause a thing's structure, use, activity, or present condition to cease.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

work

↗

Sense 1: Labour, occupation, an assigned task, or service. Sense 2: An action, deed, operation, effect, product, thing made, or manner of workmanship. Sense 3: To labour, act, operate, perform, make, produce, accomplish, or bring about.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hands

↗

Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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1KEEP thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

2Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

Selected passage

3For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

Selected passage

4When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

Selected passage

5Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

Selected passage

6Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

Selected passage

7For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

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