Ecclesiastes 5:7

New Living Translation

Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead.

Parallel Translations

Update Bible Version
For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, and in many words: but fear God.

New Century Version
Many useless promises are like so many dreams; they mean nothing. You should respect God.

New English Translation
Just as there is futility in many dreams, so also in many words. Therefore, fear God!

Webster's Bible Translation
For in the multitude of dreams and many words [there are] also [divers] vanities: but fear thou God.

World English Bible
For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words: but you must fear God.

Amplified Bible
For in a multitude of dreams and in a flood of words there is worthlessness. Rather [reverently] fear God [and worship Him with awe-filled respect, knowing who He is].

English Standard Version
For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Where ben many dremes, ben ful many vanytees, and wordis with out noumbre; but drede thou God.

English Revised Version
For thus it cometh to pass through the multitude of dreams and vanities and many words: but fear thou God.

Berean Standard Bible
For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.

Contemporary English Version
Respect and obey God! Daydreaming leads to a lot of senseless talk.

American Standard Version
For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, and in many words: but fear thou God.

Bible in Basic English
Because much talk comes from dreams and things of no purpose. But let the fear of God be in you.

Complete Jewish Bible
If you see the poor oppressed, rights violated and justice perverted in the province, don't be surprised; for a high official has one higher watching him, and there are others above them.

Darby Translation
For in the multitude of dreams are vanities; so with many words: but fear God.

Easy-to-Read Version
You should not let your useless dreams and bragging bring you trouble. You should respect God.

JPS Old Testament (1917)
If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent perverting of justice and righteousness in the state, marvel not at the matter; for one higher than the high watcheth, and there are higher than they.

King James Version (1611)
For in the multitude of dreames and many words, there are also diuers vanities: but feare thou God.

New Life Bible
For when there are many dreams, there are many empty words. Instead of this, honor God with fear.

New Revised Standard
With many dreams come vanities and a multitude of words; but fear God.

Geneva Bible (1587)
For in the multitude of dreames, and vanities are also many wordes: but feare thou God.

George Lamsa Translation
For in the multitude of dreams and vain things and many words is false worship; but you should worship God.

Good News Translation
No matter how much you dream, how much useless work you do, or how much you talk, you must still stand in awe of God.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For it was done amidst a multitude of dreams, and vanities, and many words, - but, towards God, be thou reverent.

Douay-Rheims Bible
(5-6) Where there are many dreams, there are many vanities, and words without number: but do thou fear God.

Revised Standard Version
For when dreams increase, empty words grow many: but do you fear God.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And why? wheras are many dreames and many wordes, there are also diuers vanities: but loke that thou feare God.

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
If thou shouldest see the oppression of the poor, and the wresting of judgment and of justice in the land, wonder not at the matter: for there is a high one to watch over him that is high, and high ones over them.

Christian Standard Bible®
For many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.

Hebrew Names Version
For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words: but you must fear God.

King James Version
For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

Lexham English Bible
For with many dreams come vanities and numerous words. Therefore, fear God!

Literal Translation
For in the multitude of dreams, both words and vanities abound; but fear God.

Young's Literal Translation
For, in the abundance of dreams both vanities and words abound; but fear thou God.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And why? where as are many dreames & many wordes, there are also dyuerse vanities: but loke yt thou feare God.

THE MESSAGE
But against all illusion and fantasy and empty talk There's always this rock foundation: Fear God!

New American Standard Bible
For in many dreams and in many words there is futility. Rather, fear God.

New King James Version
For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God.

Legacy Standard Bible
For in many dreams and vanities are many words. Rather, fear God.

Contextual Overview

⁴ When you make a promise to God, don't delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. ⁵ It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. ⁶ Don't let your mouth make you sin. And don't defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved. ⁷ Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead. ⁸ Don't be surprised if you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and if justice is being miscarried throughout the land. For every official is under orders from higher up, and matters of justice get lost in red tape and bureaucracy.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

in the: Ecclesiastes 5:3, Matthew 12:36

but: Ecclesiastes 7:18, Ecclesiastes 8:12, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Proverbs 23:17, Isaiah 50:10, Isaiah 50:11

Reciprocal: Ecclesiastes 5:2 - for Ecclesiastes 6:11 - General Matthew 6:7 - use Matthew 10:28 - him Colossians 3:22 - fearing

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For in the multitude of dreams, and many words, [there are] also [divers] vanities,.... Or as, "in a multitude of dreams, [there are] many vanities, [so] also in a multitude of words" s; as dreams are vain things, or there are abundance of vain things that come into the mind in dreams; so vain and idle are the many excuses which are made for the non-performance of vows; or there are many vain things which are uttered in making of them, or in long prayers to God; or in discourses concerning him; to all which is opposed the fear of God;

but fear thou God; give no heed to dreams, nor to the many words of men, which are vain and foolish; but keep close to the word of God, and worship him internally and externally, in spirit and in truth; for herein lies the sum and substance of religion; see Ecclesiastes 12:13; The Targum is,

"for in the multitude of the dreams of the false prophets believe not, nor in the vanities of the authors of enchantments, and the many speeches of ungodly men; but serve the wise and just, and of them seek doctrine, and fear before the Lord;''

see Jeremiah 23:28;

s So Luther, Broughton, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Gejerus.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For ... vanities - Or, For so it happens through many dreams and vanities and many words.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Ecclesiastes 5:7. In - dreams - are - divers vanities; but fear thou God. — If, by the disturbed state of thy mind during the day, or by Satanic influence, thou dream of evil, do not give way to any unreasonable fears, or gloomy forebodings, of any coming mischief: - FEAR GOD. Fear neither the dream nor its interpretation; God, will take care of and protect thee. Most certainly, he that fears God need fear nothing else. Well may an upright soul say to Satan himself, I fear God; and because I fear him, l do not fear thee.