Ecclesiastes 5:5
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Better is it that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Better is it that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
It is better not to take an oath than to take an oath and not keep it.
Webster's Revision
Better is it that thou shouldst not vow, than that thou shouldst vow and not pay.
World English Bible
It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.
English Revised Version (ERV)
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
Clarke's Ecclesiastes 5:5 Bible Commentary
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, etc. - We are under constant obligations to live to God; no vow can make it more so. Yet, there may be cases in which we should bind ourselves to take up some particular cross, to perform some particular duty, to forego some particular attachment that does not tend to bring our souls nearer to God. Then, if fully determined, and strong in faith relative to the point, bind and hold fast; but if not fully, rationally, and conscientiously determined, "do not suffer thy mouth to cause thy soul to sin."