5:1 1 Be careful what you do 2 when you go to the temple 3 of God;
draw near to listen 4 rather than to offer a sacrifice 5 like fools, 6
for they do not realize that they are doing wrong.
5:2 Do not be rash with your mouth or hasty in your heart to bring up a matter before God,
for God is in heaven and you are on earth!
Therefore, let your words be few.
5:3 Just as dreams come when there are many cares, 7
so 8 the rash vow 9 of a fool occurs 10 when there are many words.
5:4 When you make a vow 11 to God, do not delay in paying it. 12
For God 13 takes no pleasure in fools:
Pay what you vow!
5:5 It is better for you not to vow
than to vow and not pay it. 14
5:6 Do not let your mouth cause you 15 to sin,
and do not tell the priest, 16 “It was a mistake!” 17
Why make God angry at you 18
so that he would destroy the work of your hands?”
5:7 Just as there is futility in many dreams,
so also in many words. 19
Therefore, fear God!