Approaching God with Fear
The Teacher tells the worshiper to guard his steps when coming to God's house and to draw near ready to listen instead of offering the foolish sacrifice of thoughtless religion. Because God is in heaven and humans are on earth, words should be few, for just as many cares produce dreams, so wordy speech reveals folly.
G1uard your steps when you go to the house of God. Draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. 2Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few. 3As a dream comes through many cares,
If a person makes a vow to God, he must fulfill it promptly, because God does not delight in fools who speak lightly and fail to do what they promised. Better not to vow at all than to excuse disobedience afterward, since many dreams and many words only swell futility; the fitting conclusion is simple and direct: fear God.
4When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. 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.