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Ecclesiastes 5:4

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

When you make a promise to God, don't delay in keeping it. God takes no pleasure in foolish people who don't follow through. Keep the promise you made.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

The writer is saying that when we make commitments to God, we should take them seriously and fulfill them promptly rather than putting them off.

📚 Historical Context

Ecclesiastes is a book of wisdom literature in the Old Testament, traditionally attributed to King Solomon, who offers reflections on the futility of life under the sun and the need to fear God wisely. In ancient Israelite culture, vows to God were solemn promises often made during worship or in times of distress, as seen in practices described in books like Deuteronomy, where failing to keep them was considered a serious offense. This verse specifically addresses the importance of promptly fulfilling such vows to avoid being seen as foolish in God's eyes.

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