Parallel Verses
A Conservative Version
Sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.
New American Standard Bible
For
King James Version
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
Holman Bible
for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad.
International Standard Version
Sorrow is better than laughter, because the heart is made better through trouble.
American Standard Version
Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.
Amplified
Sorrow is better than laughter,
For when a face is sad (deep in thought) the heart may be happy [because it is growing in wisdom].
Bible in Basic English
Sorrow is better than joy; when the face is sad the mind gets better.
Darby Translation
Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
Julia Smith Translation
Good is grief above laughter: for in the illness of the face the heart shall be good.
King James 2000
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
Lexham Expanded Bible
Sorrow [is] better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance the heart is made good.
Modern King James verseion
Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made better.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
It is better to be sorry than to laugh, for when the countenance is heavy the heart is joyful.
NET Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good for the heart.
New Heart English Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.
The Emphasized Bible
Better is grief than laughter, - for, by the marring of the face, amended is the heart.
Webster
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
World English Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.
Youngs Literal Translation
Better is sorrow than laughter, For by the sadness of the face the heart becometh better.
Themes
Afflictions made beneficial » In purifying us
worldly Amusements and pleasures » Wisdom of abstaining from
Amusements and worldly pleasures » Wisdom of abstaining from
Topics
Interlinear
Ka`ac
Towb
S@chowq
Roa`
Paniym
Leb
References
Fausets
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 7:3
Verse Info
Context Readings
People Generally Do Not Know What Is Best For Them
2 It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting. For that is the end of all men, and the living will lay it to his heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Cross References
2 Corinthians 7:9-11
Now I rejoice, not that ye were grieved, but that ye were grieved for repentance. For ye were grieved toward God, so that ye might suffer loss from us in nothing.
Psalm 119:67
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I observe thy word.
Psalm 119:71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn thy statutes.
Psalm 126:5-6
Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Jeremiah 31:8-9
Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the outermost parts of the earth, [and] with them the blind man and the lame man, the woman with child, and she who travails with child together. They shall ret
Jeremiah 31:15-20
Thus says LORD: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping. Rachel weeping for her children, she refused to be comforted for her children, because they are not.
Jeremiah 50:4-5
In those days, and in that time, says LORD, the sons of Israel shall come, they and the sons of Judah together. They shall go on their way weeping, and shall seek LORD their God.
Daniel 9:3-19
And I set my face to LORD God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
Daniel 10:2-3
In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three whole weeks.
Daniel 10:19
And he said, O man greatly beloved, fear not. Peace be to thee. Be strong, yea, be strong. And when he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak, for thou have strengthened me.
Zechariah 12:10-14
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication. And they shall look to me whom they have pierced. And they shall mourn for him, as [a man] mourns for his only
Luke 6:21
Blessed are those who hunger now, because ye will be filled. Blessed are those who weep now, because ye will laugh.
Luke 6:25
Woe to you who are filled now, because ye will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, because ye will mourn and weep.
John 16:20-22
Truly, truly, I say to you, that ye will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. Ye will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will become into joy.
Romans 5:3-4
And not only so, but we also take pride in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance,
2 Corinthians 4:17
For our slight momentary affliction works for us an eternal weight of glory from extraordinariness to extraordinariness,
Hebrews 12:10-11
For those men indeed for a few days chastened us according to that which seemed good to them, but he for that which is advantageous, in order to be partakers of his holiness.
James 1:2-4
Consider it all joy, my brothers, when ye encounter various trials,
James 4:8-10
Approach God and he will approach you. Cleanse the hands, ye sinners, and purify the hearts, ye double-minded.