Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? New Living Translation Don’t let your mouth make you sin. And don’t defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved. English Standard Version Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? Berean Standard Bible Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands? King James Bible 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? New King James Version Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? New American Standard Bible Do not let your speech cause you to sin, and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice, and destroy the work of your hands? NASB 1995 Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands? NASB 1977 Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands? Legacy Standard Bible Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin, and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and wreak destruction on the work of your hands? Amplified Bible Do not allow your speech to cause you to sin, and do not say before the messenger (priest) of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry because of your voice (words) and destroy the work of your hands? Christian Standard Bible Do not let your mouth bring guilt on you, and do not say in the presence of the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands? Holman Christian Standard Bible Do not let your mouth bring guilt on you, and do not say in the presence of the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands? American Standard Version 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 thy hands? Contemporary English Version Don't let your mouth get you in trouble! And don't say to the worship leader, "I didn't mean what I said." God can destroy everything you have worked for, so don't say something that makes God angry. English Revised Version 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? GOD'S WORD® Translation Don't let your mouth talk you into committing a sin. Don't say in the presence of a [temple] messenger, "My promise was a mistake!" Why should God become angry at your excuse and destroy what you've accomplished? Good News Translation Don't let your own words lead you into sin, so that you have to tell God's priest that you didn't mean it. Why make God angry with you? Why let him destroy what you have worked for? International Standard Version Never let your mouth cause you to sin and don't proclaim in the presence of the angel, "My promise was a mistake," for why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy what you've undertaken? Majority Standard Bible Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands? NET Bible Do not let your mouth cause you to sin, and do not tell the priest, "It was a mistake!" Why make God angry at you so that he would destroy the work of your hands?" New Heart English Bible Do not allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Do not protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands? Webster's Bible Translation Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: why should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands? World English Bible Don’t allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don’t protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionDo not permit your mouth to cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger that it [is] ignorance. Why is God angry because of your voice and has destroyed the work of your hands? Young's Literal Translation Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger, that 'it is an error,' why is God wroth because of thy voice, and hath destroyed the work of thy hands? Smith's Literal Translation Thou shalt not give thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; and thou shalt not say to the face of the messenger that it is an error: wherefore shall God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleGive not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin: and say not before the angel: There is no providence: lest God be angry at thy words, and destroy all the works of thy hands. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible Let not your utterances make you guilty, and say not before his representative, “It was a mistake.” Why should God be angered by your words and destroy the works of your hands? New Revised Standard Version Do not let your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake; why should God be angry at your words, and destroy the work of your hands? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSuffer not your mouth to cause your flesh to sin; neither say before God that it was an error, lest God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated You shall not give your mouth to cause your flesh to sin and you should not say in front of God: "It is my error", lest God will be angry against your voice and he will destroy the work of your hands OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Suffer not thy mouth to bring thy flesh into guilt, neither say thou before the messenger, that it was an error; wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands? Brenton Septuagint Translation Suffer not thy mouth to lead thy flesh to sin; and say not in the presence of God, It was an error: lest God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the works of thy hands. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Approaching God with Awe…5It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. 6Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands? 7For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.… Cross References Matthew 12:36-37 But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” James 3:2-10 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. / When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. / Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined. ... Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. Matthew 5:33-37 Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ... James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. Proverbs 20:25 It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows. Proverbs 18:21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Matthew 15:18-19 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. / For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. Colossians 3:8 But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Proverbs 12:13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble. 1 Peter 3:10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. Proverbs 6:2 if you have been trapped by the words of your lips, ensnared by the words of your mouth, Treasury of Scripture Suffer not your mouth to cause your flesh to sin; neither say you before the angel, that it was an error: why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands? thy mouth Ecclesiastes 5:1,2 Keep 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… James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. James 3:2 For 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. before Leviticus 5:4,5 Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these… Genesis 48:16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. Hosea 12:4,5 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us; … it was Leviticus 4:5-6 And the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock's blood, and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation: … Leviticus 27:9,10 And if it be a beast, whereof men bring an offering unto the LORD, all that any man giveth of such unto the LORD shall be holy… destroy Haggai 1:9-11 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house… Haggai 2:14-17 Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean… 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is… Jump to Previous Allow Angel Angry Cause Destroy Destroyed End Error Evil Flesh Guilt Hands Lead Messenger Mistake Mouth Protest Sin Speech Suffer Temple Voice Vow Wherefore Words WorkJump to Next Allow Angel Angry Cause Destroy Destroyed End Error Evil Flesh Guilt Hands Lead Messenger Mistake Mouth Protest Sin Speech Suffer Temple Voice Vow Wherefore Words WorkEcclesiastes 5 1. vanities in divine service8. in murmuring against oppression 9. and in riches 18. Joy in riches is the gift of God. Do not let your mouth The phrase emphasizes the power of speech and the importance of self-control. In Hebrew, the word for "mouth" (פֶּה, peh) often symbolizes one's speech or declarations. The Bible frequently warns about the dangers of careless words (Proverbs 18:21). In a conservative Christian perspective, this serves as a reminder of the responsibility to speak truthfully and wisely, reflecting the character of Christ in our communication. cause your flesh to sin and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands? Error.--The word is that which describes sins of ignorance (Numbers 15). The tacit assumption in this verse, that God interposes to punish when His name is taken in vain, clearly expresses the writer's real conviction, and shows that such a verse as Ecclesiastes 9:2 is only the statement of a speculative difficulty. Verse 6. - Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin. "Thy flesh" is equivalent to "thyself," the whole personality, the idea of the flesh, as a distinct part of the man, sinning, being alien from Old Testament ontology. The injunction means - Do not, by uttering rash or inconsiderate vows, which you afterwards evade or cannot fulfill, bring sin upon yourself, or, as others render, bring punishment upon yourself. Septuagint, "Suffer not thy mouth to Cause thy flesh to sin(τοῦ ὠξαμαρτῆσαι τὴν σάρκα σου);" Vulgate, Ut peccare facias carnem tuam. Another interpretation, but not so suitable, is this - Do not let thy mouth (i.e. thy appetite) lead thee to break the vow of abstinence, and indulge in meat or drink from which (as, e.g., a Nazarite) thou wast bound to abstain. Neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error. If we take "angel" (malak) in the usual sense (and there seems no very forcible reason why we should not), it must mean the angel of God in whose special charge you are placed, or the angel who was supposed to preside over the altar of worship, or that messenger of God whose duty it is to watch man's doings and to act as the minister of punishment (2 Samuel 24:16). The workings of God's providence are often attributed to angels; and sometimes the names of God and angel are interchanged (see Genesis 16:9, 13; Genesis 18:2, 3, etc.; Exodus 3:2, 4; Exodus 23:20, etc.). Thus the Septuagint here renders, "Say not before the face of God (πρὸ = προσώπου τοῦ Θεοῦ)." If this interpretation be allowed, we have an argument for the literal explanation of the much-disputed passage in 1 Corinthians 11:10, διὰ τοὺς ἀγγέλους. Thus, too, in 'The Testaments of the XII. Patriarchs,' we have, "The Lord is witness, and his angels are witnesses, concerning the word of your mouth" ('Levi,' 19). But most commentators consider that the word here means "messenger" of Jehovah, in the sense of priest, the announcer of the Divine Law, as in the unique passage Malachi 2:7. Traces of a similar use of ἄγγελος may be found in the New Testament (Revelation 1:20; Revelation 2:1, etc.). According to the first interpretation, the man comes before God with his excuse; according to the second, he comes to the priest, and confesses that he was thoughtless and overhasty in making his vow, and desires to be released from it, or, at any rate, by some means to evade its fulfillment. His excuse may possibly look to the cases mentioned in Numbers 15:22, etc., and he may wish to urge that the vow was made in ignorance (Septuagint, Ὅτι ἄγνοιά ἐστι, "It is an ignorance"), and that therefore he was not responsible for its incomplete execution. We do not know that a priest or any officer of the temple had authority to release from the obligation of a Tow, so that the excuse made "before" him would seem to be objectless, while the evasion of a solemn promise made in the Name of God might well be said to be done in the presence of the observing and recording angel. The Vulgate rendering, Non eat providentia, makes the man account for his neglect by assuming that God takes no heed of such things; he deems the long-suffering of God to be indifference and disregard (comp. Ecclesiastes 8:11; Ecclesiastes 9:3). The original does not bear this interpretation. Wherefore should God be angry at thy voice - the words in which thy evasion and dishonesty are expressed - and destroy the work of thine hands? i.e. punish thee by calamity, want of success, sickness, etc., God's moral government being vindicated by earthly visitations.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Do notאַל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not let תִּתֵּ֤ן (tit·tên) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set your mouth פִּ֙יךָ֙ (pî·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to cause your body בְּשָׂרֶ֔ךָ (bə·śā·re·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man to sin, לַחֲטִ֣יא (la·ḥă·ṭî) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn and do not וְאַל־ (wə·’al-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 408: Not tell תֹּאמַר֙ (tō·mar) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say the messenger הַמַּלְאָ֔ךְ (ham·mal·’āḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel that כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction [your vow] הִ֑יא (hî) Pronoun - third person feminine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are was a mistake. שְׁגָגָ֖ה (šə·ḡā·ḡāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7684: A mistake, inadvertent transgression Why לָ֣מָּה (lām·māh) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what should God הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative be angry יִקְצֹ֤ף (yiq·ṣōp̄) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7107: To crack off, burst out in rage with עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against your words קוֹלֶ֔ךָ (qō·w·le·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 6963: A voice, sound and destroy וְחִבֵּ֖ל (wə·ḥib·bêl) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2254: To wind tightly, to bind, a pledge, to pervert, destroy, to writhe in pain the work מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה (ma·‘ă·śêh) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4639: An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property of your hands? יָדֶֽיךָ׃ (yā·ḏe·ḵā) Noun - fdc | second person masculine singular Strong's 3027: A hand Links Ecclesiastes 5:6 NIVEcclesiastes 5:6 NLT Ecclesiastes 5:6 ESV Ecclesiastes 5:6 NASB Ecclesiastes 5:6 KJV Ecclesiastes 5:6 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 5:6 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 5:6 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 5:6 French Bible Ecclesiastes 5:6 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 5:6 Don't allow your mouth to lead you (Ecclesiast. 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