Parallel Verses

Holman Bible

Grief is better than laughter,
for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad.

New American Standard Bible

Sorrow is better than laughter,
For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.

King James Version

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

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.

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.

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
כּעשׂ כּעס 
Ka`ac 
Usage: 25

שׂחק שׂחוק 
S@chowq 
Usage: 15

for by the sadness
רע 
Roa` 
Usage: 19

of the countenance
פּנים 
Paniym 
Usage: 2119

References

Verse Info

Context Readings

People Generally Do Not Know What Is Best For Them

2 It is better to go to a house of mourning
than to go to a house of feasting,
since that is the end of all mankind,
and the living should take it to heart.
3 Grief is better than laughter,
for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad.
4 The heart of the wise is in a house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in a house of pleasure.


Cross References

2 Corinthians 7:9-11

Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn’t experience any loss from us.

Psalm 119:67

Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep Your word.

Psalm 119:71

It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I could learn Your statutes.

Psalm 126:5-6

Those who sow in tears
will reap with shouts of joy.

Jeremiah 31:8-9

Watch! I am going to bring them from the northern land.
I will gather them from remote regions of the earth
the blind and the lame will be with them,
along with those who are pregnant and those about to give birth.
They will return here as a great assembly!

Jeremiah 31:15-20

This is what the Lord says:

A voice was heard in Ramah,
a lament with bitter weeping—
Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted for her children
because they are no more.

Jeremiah 50:4-5

In those days and at that time—
this is the Lord’s declaration—
the Israelites and Judeans will come together,
weeping as they come,
and will seek the Lord their God.

Daniel 9:3-19

So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

Daniel 10:2-3

In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks.

Daniel 10:19

He said, “Don’t be afraid, you who are treasured by God. Peace to you; be very strong!”

As he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

Zechariah 12:10-14

“Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the house of David and the residents of Jerusalem, and they will look at Me whom they pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly for Him as one weeps for a firstborn.

Luke 6:21

You who are now hungry are blessed,
because you will be filled.
You who now weep are blessed,
because you will laugh.

Luke 6:25

Woe to you who are now full,
for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who are now laughing,
for you will mourn and weep.

John 16:20-22

“I assure you: You will weep and wail, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.

Romans 5:3-4

And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,

2 Corinthians 4:17

For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.

Hebrews 12:10-11

For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but He does it for our benefit, so that we can share His holiness.

James 1:2-4

Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials,

James 4:8-10

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!

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Word Concordance

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain