Definition: When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 23:21. It's a really important one about responsibility and honoring God. Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, it says: “Don’t waste your time or resources by making promises you don’t intend to keep.” Let’s unpack that a little bit: “Deuteronomy 23” : This is a passage from the Old Testament. It's a set of laws and rules given to Moses, and it’s considered important in Jewish tradition. “23” : This is the verse number. “When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God…” : This means "when you make a promise or dedication to God." It's essentially a commitment to follow His will. "...thou shalt not slack to pay it:" This is the crucial part. “Slack” means to delay, to put off, or to not fulfill your commitment. It’s about not following through with what you promised. "for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee:" This tells us why this is important – God wants to hold you accountable. He expects you to be reliable and true to your commitments. "...and it would be sin in thee." This is a warning. Making promises you can’t keep is considered a moral failing, a “sin” against God. It shows disrespect and dishonesty. In short: The verse warns us against making promises we don't mean to keep. It emphasizes that true faithfulness and trustworthiness are vital for a relationship with God. It’s about honoring His trust in you. Why is this important? This principle has been around for thousands of years, and it’s still relevant today. It reminds us that our commitments have value and importance – they should be treated seriously. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of the verse in more detail (like its historical context)? Give an example of how this principle applies to everyday life?