Parallel Verses
International Standard Version
it's better that you don't promise than that you do promise and not follow through.
New American Standard Bible
It is
King James Version
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
Holman Bible
Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it.
A Conservative Version
Better is it that thou should not vow, than that thou should vow and not pay.
American Standard Version
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
Amplified
It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.
Bible in Basic English
It is better not to take an oath than to take an oath and not keep it.
Darby Translation
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
Julia Smith Translation
Good that thou shalt not vow rather than thou shalt vow and not requite.
King James 2000
Better is it that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.
Lexham Expanded Bible
It is better that you not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it.
Modern King James verseion
it is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
If thou promise anything, pay it; for better it is that thou make no vow than that thou shouldest promise, and not pay.
NET Bible
It is better for you not to vow than to vow and not pay it.
New Heart English Bible
It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.
The Emphasized Bible
Better that thou shouldest not vow, - than vow, and not pay.
Webster
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.
Youngs Literal Translation
Better that thou do not vow, than that thou dost vow and dost not complete.
Topics
Interlinear
References
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 5:5
Verse Info
Context Readings
Listen To God Rather Than Uttering Rash Vows
4 When you make a promise to God, don't fail to keep it, since he isn't pleased with fools. Keep what you promise 5 it's better that you don't promise than that you do promise and not follow through. 6 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?
Phrases
Names
Cross References
Proverbs 20:25
It is a trap for a person to declare quickly, "This is sacred," and only later to have second thoughts about the vows.
Acts 5:4
As long as it remained unsold, wasn't it your own? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? So how could you have thought of doing what you did? You didn't lie only to men, but also to God!"
Deuteronomy 23:22
But if you refrain from making a vow, then you won't be guilty.