Ecclesiastes 5

King James Version

Full text for Ecclesiastes Chapter 5

1¶ 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.

2Be 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.

3For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice [is known] by multitude of words.

4¶ 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.

5Better [is it] that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

6Suffer 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?

7For in the multitude of dreams and many words [there are] also [divers] vanities: but fear thou God.

8If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for [he that is] higher than the highest regardeth; and [there be] higher than they.

9¶ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king [himself] is served by the field.

10He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this [is] also vanity.

11When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good [is there] to the owners thereof, saving the beholding [of them] with their eyes?

12The sleep of a labouring man [is] sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

13There is a sore evil [which] I have seen under the sun, [namely], riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

14But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and [there is] nothing in his hand.

15As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

16And this also [is] a sore evil, [that] in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?

17All his days also he eateth in darkness, and [he hath] much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.

18¶ Behold [that] which I have seen: [it is] good and comely [for one] to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it [is] his portion.

19Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this [is] the gift of God.

20For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth [him] in the joy of his heart.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The chapter admonishes reverence in worship, urging caution with words and promptness in fulfilling vows before God. It then explores the vanity of accumulating wealth, noting that riches often bring dissatisfaction and can be lost, leaving one with nothing. Ultimately, it concludes that true good lies in enjoying one's labor and portion as a gift from God, rather than pursuing insatiable material gain.

Medium Summary

Ecclesiastes 5 begins by instructing individuals to approach God's house with reverence, prioritizing listening over foolish sacrifices and speaking few, thoughtful words. It emphasizes the importance of fulfilling vows made to God without delay, stating it is better not to vow than to default. The text then shifts to the observation of societal injustices, noting that divine oversight exists. A significant portion addresses the futility of loving and accumulating wealth, asserting that silver never satisfies and increasing goods merely attract more consumers. Riches are presented as a potential source of harm, often lost through misfortune, and ultimately, man departs life as naked as he arrived, taking nothing. The chapter concludes by affirming that the true good is to accept and enjoy one's portion and the fruit of one's labor as a direct gift from God, finding joy in His provision.

Long Summary

Ecclesiastes 5 opens with a strong exhortation for reverence and circumspection when approaching God in worship. It advises keeping one's foot, being ready to hear, and avoiding the rash utterance of many words, recognizing God's exalted position in heaven compared to man on earth. The chapter then addresses the solemnity of vows, instructing that once a vow is made to God, it must be paid without delay, as God takes no pleasure in unfulfilled promises; indeed, it is preferable not to vow at all than to vow and fail to pay. This caution extends to not allowing one's mouth to lead to sin or to claim error before an angel, lest divine wrath be provoked. The text acknowledges the prevalence of oppression and perverted justice in society but advises against marveling, implying a higher divine oversight. Subsequently, the Preacher delves into the pervasive theme of the vanity of riches. He asserts that those who love silver or abundance are never truly satisfied, and the increase of goods only leads to an increase in those who consume them, offering little true benefit to the owner beyond mere observation. A stark contrast is drawn between the sweet sleep of a laboring man and the restless nights of the wealthy, whose abundance prevents slumber. Riches are identified as a "sore evil" when kept to the owner's detriment, often perishing through misfortune, leaving nothing for heirs. The ultimate vanity is underscored by the certainty that man returns to the earth as naked as he came, unable to carry away any fruit of his labor, thus laboring "for the wind." Despite these observations on life's vanities, the chapter concludes with a positive affirmation: it is good and fitting for a person to eat, drink, and enjoy the good of all their labor throughout their life, recognizing this as their portion and a direct gift from God. This divine provision, when embraced with joy, allows one to not dwell excessively on the difficulties of life.

Core Concepts

  • Reverence in WorshipThe importance of approaching God's house with caution, prioritizing listening, and speaking few, thoughtful words, rather than offering foolish sacrifices or making rash vows.
  • Fulfilling VowsA strong admonition to pay vows made to God promptly, emphasizing that it is better to refrain from vowing than to make a vow and fail to keep it, lest divine displeasure be incurred.
  • Divine OversightThe concept that even amidst societal oppression and perversion of justice, there is a higher power (God) who observes and regards all matters, suggesting ultimate accountability.
  • Vanity of RichesThe inherent dissatisfaction and futility associated with the love and accumulation of wealth, as riches do not bring lasting contentment, often lead to worry, and can be lost, leaving one empty-handed at death.
  • Ephemeral Nature of WealthThe stark reality that one cannot take material possessions beyond this life, returning to the earth as naked as one came, rendering much labor for riches ultimately profitless in the long term.
  • Enjoyment as God's GiftThe positive conclusion that true good and contentment are found in accepting and enjoying one's portion, food, drink, and the fruit of one's labor as a direct and joyful gift from God.