Section 5:1-7

People must be careful when they worship God

5:1a Guard your steps when you go to the house of God.

Be careful whenever you go to ⌊worship⌋ God.
-or-
Think carefully about what you are doing when you go to the place of worship.

5:1b Draw near to listen

Approach ⌊God⌋ and listen.
-or-
Go there to listen. (New International Reader’s Version)

5:1c rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools,

⌊If you don’t, then⌋ you might offer a sacrifice without thinking,
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Do not be like fools who offer sacrifices ⌊that God does not accept⌋ .

5:1d who do not know that they do wrong.

and not even be aware that ⌊God considers⌋ your actions to be evil.
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They are not even aware that ⌊God considers⌋ their actions to be evil.

5:1a-d (combined)

As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Watch your step when you go to the house of God. It is better to go there and listen than to bring the sacrifices fools bring. Fools are unaware that they are doing something evil. (God’s Word)
-or-
Be careful what you do when you go to the temple of God. Don’t just go through the rituals without thinking. That is bad. Instead listen attentively ⌊to what you are being taught⌋ .

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