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Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 [show] For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: [2]a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; [3]a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; [4]a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; [5]a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; [6]a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; [7]a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; [8]a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

(The Message version)

Ecclesiastes 3 [show] For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: [2]a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; [3]a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; [4]a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; [5]a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; [6]a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; [7]a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; [8]a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. [9]What gain has the worker from his toil? [10]I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. [11]He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. [12]I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; [13]also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil--this is God's gift to man. [14]I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. [15]That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away. [16]Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. [17]I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work. [18]I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. [19]For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. [20]All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. [21]Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? [22]So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him? (ESV)

There’s a Right Time for Everything
1 There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:

2-8 A right time for birth and another for death,
A right time to plant and another to reap,
A right time to kill and another to heal,
A right time to destroy and another to construct,
A right time to cry and another to laugh,
A right time to lament and another to cheer,
A right time to make love and another to abstain,
A right time to embrace and another to part,
A right time to search and another to count your losses,
A right time to hold on and another to let go,
A right time to rip out and another to mend,
A right time to shut up and another to speak up,
A right time to love and another to hate,
A right time to wage war and another to make peace.

(NIV)

Ecclesiastes 3 [show] For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: [2]a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; [3]a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; [4]a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; [5]a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; [6]a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; [7]a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; [8]a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. [9]What gain has the worker from his toil? [10]I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. [11]He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. [12]I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; [13]also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil--this is God's gift to man. [14]I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. [15]That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away. [16]Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. [17]I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work. [18]I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. [19]For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. [20]All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. [21]Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? [22]So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him? (ESV)

A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 [show] Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. [2] Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. [3]For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. [4]When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. [5]It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. [6]Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? [7]For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. (ESV)

(NASB)

Ecclesiastes 5 [show] Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. [2] Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. [3]For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. [4]When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. [5]It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. [6]Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? [7]For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. [8]If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. [9]But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields. [10]He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. [11]When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? [12]Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. [13]There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, [14]and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. [15]As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. [16]This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? [17]Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger. [18]Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. [19]Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil--this is the gift of God. [20]For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. (ESV)

Your Attitude Toward God
1(A)Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the (B)sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil.

2Do not be (C)hasty in word 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 (D)words be few.

3For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a (E)fool through many words.

4When you (F)make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools (G)Pay what you vow!

5It is (H)better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.

6Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a (I)mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands?

7For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, (J)fear God.

Cross references:

1. Ecclesiastes 5:1 [show] Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. (ESV)
: Ex 3:5 [show] [5]Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." (ESV)
; 30:18-20; Is 1:12
2. Ecclesiastes 5:1 [show] Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. (ESV)
: 1 Sam 15:22 [show] [22]And Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
; Prov 15:8 [show] [8]The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
; 21:27
3. Ecclesiastes 5:2 [show] [2] Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. (ESV)
: Prov 20:25 [show] [25]It is a snare to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after making vows.

4. Ecclesiastes 5:2 [show] [2] Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. (ESV)
: Prov 10:19 [show] [19]When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
; Matt 6:7 [show] [7]"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. (ESV)

5. Ecclesiastes 5:3 [show] [3]For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. (ESV)
: Job 11:2 [show] [2]"Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right?
; Prov 15:2 [show] [2]The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
; Eccl 10:14 [show] [14]A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?

6. Ecclesiastes 5:4 [show] [4]When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. (ESV)
: Num 30:2 [show] [2]If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. (ESV)
; Ps 50:14 [show] [14]Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High,
; 76:11
7. Ecclesiastes 5:4 [show] [4]When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. (ESV)
: Ps 66:13, 14 [show] [13]I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will perform my vows to you, [14]that which my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.

8. Ecclesiastes 5:5 [show] [5]It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. (ESV)
: Prov 20:25 [show] [25]It is a snare to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after making vows.
; Acts 5:4 [show] [4]While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." (ESV)

9. Ecclesiastes 5:6 [show] [6]Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? (ESV)
: Lev 4:2, 22 [show] [2]"Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If anyone sins unintentionally in any of the LORD's commandments about things not to be done, and does any one of them, (ESV) [22]"When a leader sins, doing unintentionally any one of all the things that by the commandments of the LORD his God ought not to be done, and realizes his guilt, (ESV)
; Num 15:25 [show] [25]And the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the people of Israel, and they shall be forgiven, because it was a mistake, and they have brought their offering, a food offering to the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD for their mistake. (ESV)

10. Ecclesiastes 5:7 [show] [7]For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. (ESV)
: Eccl 3:14 [show] [14]I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. (ESV)
; 7:18; 8:12, 13; 12:13

(ESV)

Ecclesiastes 5 [show] Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. [2] Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. [3]For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. [4]When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. [5]It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. [6]Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? [7]For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. [8]If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. [9]But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields. [10]He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. [11]When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? [12]Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. [13]There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, [14]and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. [15]As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. [16]This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? [17]Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger. [18]Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. [19]Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil--this is the gift of God. [20]For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. (ESV)

Fear God
1[a](A) Guard your steps when you go to(B) the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to(C) offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2[b] Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore(D) let your words be few. 3For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with(E) many words.

4When(F) you vow a vow to God,(G) do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools.(H) Pay what you vow. 5(I) It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6Let not your mouth lead you[c] into sin, and do not say before(J) the messenger[d] that it was(K) a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? 7For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity;[e] but(L) God is the one you must fear.

Footnotes:

1. Ecclesiastes 5:1 [show] Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. (ESV)
Ch 4:17 in Hebrew
2. Ecclesiastes 5:2 [show] [2] Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. (ESV)
Ch 5:1 in Hebrew
3. Ecclesiastes 5:6 [show] [6]Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? (ESV)
Hebrew your flesh
4. Ecclesiastes 5:6 [show] [6]Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? (ESV)
Or angel
5. Ecclesiastes 5:7 [show] [7]For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. (ESV)
Or For when dreams and vanities increase, words also grow many

Cross references:

1. Ecclesiastes 5:1 [show] Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. (ESV)
: Exodus 3:5 [show] [5]Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." (ESV)
; Isa 1:12 [show] [12]"When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts?

2. Ecclesiastes 5:1 [show] Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. (ESV)
: Gen 28:17 [show] [17]And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." (ESV)

3. Ecclesiastes 5:1 [show] Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. (ESV)
: Prov 15:8 [show] [8]The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
; 1 Sam 15:22 [show] [22]And Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

4. Ecclesiastes 5:2 [show] [2] Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. (ESV)
: Matt 6:7 [show] [7]"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. (ESV)

5. Ecclesiastes 5:3 [show] [3]For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. (ESV)
: Prov 10:19 [show] [19]When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
; Job 11:2 [show] [2]"Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right?

6. Ecclesiastes 5:4 [show] [4]When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. (ESV)
: Num 30:2 [show] [2]If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. (ESV)

7. Ecclesiastes 5:4 [show] [4]When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. (ESV)
: Deut 23:21 [show] [21]"If you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the LORD your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. (ESV)
; Psalm 50:14 [show] [14]Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High,
; 76:11
8. Ecclesiastes 5:4 [show] [4]When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. (ESV)
: Psalm 66:13, 14 [show] [13]I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will perform my vows to you, [14]that which my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.

9. Ecclesiastes 5:5 [show] [5]It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. (ESV)
: Prov 20:25 [show] [25]It is a snare to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after making vows.
; Acts 5:4 [show] [4]While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." (ESV)

10. Ecclesiastes 5:6 [show] [6]Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? (ESV)
: 1 Cor 11:10 [show] [10]That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. (ESV)

11. Ecclesiastes 5:6 [show] [6]Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? (ESV)
: Ecclesiastes 10:5 [show] [5]There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: (ESV)
; Num 15:25, 26 [show] [25]And the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the people of Israel, and they shall be forgiven, because it was a mistake, and they have brought their offering, a food offering to the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD for their mistake. (ESV) [26]And all the congregation of the people of Israel shall be forgiven, and the stranger who sojourns among them, because the whole population was involved in the mistake. (ESV)

12. Ecclesiastes 5:7 [show] [7]For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. (ESV)
: Ecclesiastes 12:13 [show] [13]The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (ESV)

Good morning! Though it is cloudy and dark outside, it is becoming a beautiful day