Ecclesiastes 5:7

Just as there is futility in many dreams, so also in many words. ¹  Therefore, fear God!

Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.

For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God.

Dreaming all the time instead of working is foolishness. And there is ruin in a flood of empty words. Fear God instead.

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

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

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

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

Just as there is futility in many dreams, so also in many words. ¹  Therefore, fear God!

¹ tn The syntax of this verse is difficult. Perhaps the best approach is to classify the vav on וַהֲבָלִים (vahavalim, “futilities”) as introducing the predicate (e.g., Gen 40:9; 2 Sam 23:3; Prov 10:25; Isa 34:12; Job 4:6; 36:26); BDB 255 s.v. ו 5.c.γ: “There is futility….” The phrase בְרֹב הֲלֹמוֹת (vÿrob halomot) is an adverbial modifier (“in many dreams”), as is דְבָרִים הַרְבֵּה (dÿvarim harbeh, “many words”). The vav prefixed to וּדְבָרִים (udÿvarim) and the juxtaposition of the two lines suggests a comparison: “just as…so also…” (BDB 253 s.v. ו 1.j). The English versions reflect a variety of approaches: “In the multitude of dreams and many words there are also diverse vanities” (KJV); “In the multitude of dreams there are vanities, and in many words” (ASV); “When dreams increase, empty words grow many” (RSV); “In many dreams and follies and many words” (MLB); “In the abundance of dreams both vanities and words abound” (YLT); “Where there are many dreams, there are many vanities, and words without number” (Douay); “Many dreams and words mean many a vain folly” (Moffatt); “Much dreaming leads to futility and to superfluous talk” (NJPS); “In many dreams and in many words there is emptiness” (NASB); “Much dreaming and many words are meaningless” (NIV); “With many dreams comes vanities and a multitude of words” (NRSV).