Ecclesiastes 5:6 Meaning and Explanation
“Suffer 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?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Do not let careless words lead you into sin, then excuse them as a mistake; such trifling with God invites the loss of what your hands have built.
What Does Ecclesiastes 5:6 Mean?
Continuing the theme of vows, the Preacher warns against the habit of making a rash promise and then explaining it away. The "angel" here is understood as the messenger or representative before whom such excuses are offered.
Words spoken before God carry weight, and brushing them off as a slip of the tongue does not undo their seriousness. The warning is that careless speech can unravel the very work and blessing we labor for. The deeper call is to let our mouths and our lives agree, so that what we say before God is matched by what we do. Reverence guards both our words and the fruit of our hands.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 5:6
What does Ecclesiastes 5:6 mean?
Do not let careless words lead you into sin, then excuse them as a mistake; such trifling with God invites the loss of what your hands have built.