Parallel Verses
The Emphasized Bible
Better is grief than laughter, - for, by the marring of the face, amended is the heart.
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.
A Conservative Version
Sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.
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.
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 Better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of banqueting, for, that, is the end of all men, - and, the living, should take it to his heart. 3 Better is grief than laughter, - for, by the marring of the face, amended is the heart. 4 The heart of the wise, is in the house of mourning, but, the heart of dullards, in the house of mirth.
Cross References
2 Corinthians 7:9-11
Now, am I rejoicing, - not that ye were grieved, but that ye were grieved unto repentance; for ye were grieved according to God, in order that, in nothing, should ye receive damage from us.
Psalm 119:67
Before I was afflicted, I myself was going astray, but, now, thy word, have I kept.
Psalm 119:71
It is, well for me, that I was afflicted, That I might learn thy statutes.
Psalm 126:5-6
They who are sowing with tears, with shouting, shall reap:
Jeremiah 31:8-9
Behold me bringing them in out of the land of the North, And I will gather them out of the remote parts of the earth, Among them, the blind and the lame The woman with child and she that giveth birth, together, - A great convocation, shall return hither:
Jeremiah 31:15-20
Thus, saith Yahweh - A voice, in Ramah, is heard, Wailing, bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, - She refuseth to be comforted for her children, For they are not!
Jeremiah 50:4-5
In those days, and at that time, Declareth Yahweh, Shall the sons of Israel come in, They and the sons of Judah together: Weeping as they travel, so shall they journey on, And Yahweh their God, shall they seek;
Daniel 9:3-19
So I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek him by prayer, and supplication, - with fasting, and sackcloth and ashes;
Daniel 10:2-3
In those days, I, Daniel, was mourning three sevens of days:
Daniel 10:19
And he said, Do not fear, O man greatly delighted in! peace to thee, be strong, yea be strong! And, as he spake with me, I gained strength, and said, Let my lord speak, for thou hast strengthened me.
Zechariah 12:10-14
But I will pour out upon the house of David and upon the inhabitant of Jerusalem, the spirit of favour, and of supplications, and they will look unto me, whom they have pierced, - and will wail over him, as one waileth over an only son, and will make bitter outcry over him, as one maketh bitter outcry over a firstborn.
Luke 6:21
Happy, ye that hunger now, for ye shall be filled. Happy, ye that weep now, for ye shall laugh.
Luke 6:25
Alas! for you, ye who are filled full now, for ye shall hunger. Alas! ye that laugh now, for ye shall mourn and weep.
John 16:20-22
Verily, verily, I say unto you - Ye, shall weep and lament, but, the world, shall rejoice: Ye, shall be grieved, but, your grief, into joy, shall be turned.
Romans 5:3-4
And, not only so, but let us boast also in our tribulations; knowing that, our tribulation, worketh out endurance.
2 Corinthians 4:17
For, the momentary lightness of thee tribulation, in a manner yet more and more excelling, is working out for us, an age-abiding weight of glory, -
Hebrews 12:10-11
For, they, indeed, for a few days, according to that which seemed good to them, were administering discipline; but, he, unto that which is profitable, with view to our partaking of his holiness:
James 1:2-4
All Joy, account it, my brethren, whensoever ye fall in with, manifold, temptations, -
James 4:8-10
Draw near unto God, and he will draw near unto you. Cleanse hands, sinners! Chasten hearts, double souls!