² “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If anyone makes a special vow^(A) to dedicate a person to the Lord by giving the equivalent value,

²¹ If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it,^(A) for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin.^{(B) 22} But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty.^{(C) 23} Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the Lord your God with your own mouth.

³⁰ And Jephthah made a vow^(A) to the Lord: “If you give the Ammonites into my hands,

³¹ whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph^(A) from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.^(B)”

³⁵ When he saw her, he tore his clothes^(A) and cried, “Oh no, my daughter! You have brought me down and I am devastated. I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break.^(B)”

⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it.^(A) He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.^(B)