Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.
Parallel translations
- WEB Don’t be rash with your mouth, and don’t let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore let your words be few.
- KJV 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.
- BSB Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.
- NKJV Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.
- NASB Do not be quick with your mouth or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Speak few and measured words before God, remembering He is in heaven and you on earth. It matters because reverence demands humility and restraint in how we address the Almighty.
Overview
The Preacher counsels against rash, careless speech in prayer and vows. The contrast of God in heaven and man on earth grounds the call in God's transcendence and our creatureliness. Jesus echoes this in warning against 'vain repetitions' (Matthew 6:7), teaching that prayer rests not on many words but on trust in a Father who already knows our needs.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Matt 6:7In praying, don’t use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.
- Prov 10:19In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely.
- Isa 55:9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
- Matt 6:9Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
- Eccl 5:3For as a dream comes with a multitude of cares, so a fool’s speech with a multitude of words.
- Gen 18:27Abraham answered, “See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord, although I am dust and ashes.
- Eccl 5:7For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words: but you must fear God.
- Num 30:2–5When a man vows a vow to Yahweh, or swears an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.
- Gen 28:20Jacob vowed a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and clothing to put on,
- Prov 20:25It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.
- Jas 3:2For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn’t stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
- Ps 115:3But our God is in the heavens. He does whatever he pleases.
- Gen 18:32He said, “Oh don’t let the Lord be angry, and I will speak just once more. What if ten are found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake.”
- Gen 18:30He said, “Oh don’t let the Lord be angry, and I will speak. What if there are thirty found there?” He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
- 1 Sam 14:24–45The men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food until it is evening, and I am avenged of my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food.
- Judg 11:30Jephthah vowed a vow to Yahweh, and said, “If you will indeed deliver the children of Ammon into my hand,
- Mark 6:23He swore to her, “Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”
- Gen 28:22then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, will be God’s house. Of all that you will give me I will surely give a tenth to you.”
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The search that finds everything 'under the sun' to be vapor exposes the emptiness of life without God and drives us to the one who alone gives meaning, the resurrection that makes our labor not in vain.
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Original language
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