5 Watch your step when you go to God’s house.

Going in to listen is better than fools who offer sacrifices,

because they don’t realise that what they’re doing there is evil.

2 Don’t speak out too quickly,

and don’t let your emotions rush to make you request something from God,

because God is in the heavens,

but you’re on the earth, so let your words be few.

3 A dream can lead to a lot of panic,

and a fool’s voice brings many words.

4 When you promise something to God,

don’t put off doing what you promised

because no one likes fools.

Whatever you promise, do it![ref]

5 It’s better not to make a promise

than to promise something and then not do it.

6 Don’t allow your mouth to cause your whole body to sin,

and don’t tell the temple messenger that it was an unintentional sin.

Why make God angry by what you say

and destroy the good things that you’ve done?

7 Yes, there’s many dreams and pointless things and many words—

just respect and strive to obey God.