Parallel Verses

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.

Holman Bible

Grief is better than laughter,
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.

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 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 when a face is sad a heart may be happy.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.

Cross References

2 Corinthians 7:9-11

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance; for ye were made sorry by God that ye might suffer no loss by us.

Psalm 119:67

Before I was humbled, I went into error, but now I keep thy spoken word.

Psalm 119:71

It was good for me that I have been humbled, that I might learn thy statutes.

Psalm 126:5-6

Those that sow with tears shall reap with joy.

Jeremiah 31:8-9

Behold, I turn them from the land of the north wind and gather them from the coasts of the earth; there shall be blind and lame among them, and women with child and those that travail with child together; a great company shall return there.

Jeremiah 31:15-20

Thus hath the LORD said; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her sons, she refused to be comforted regarding her sons, because they perished.

Jeremiah 50:4-5

In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the sons of Israel shall come, they and the sons of Judah together, going and weeping they shall go and seek the LORD their God.

Daniel 9:3-19

And I turned my face unto the Lord God, seeking him in prayer and supplication, in fasting and sackcloth, and ashes:

Daniel 10:2-3

In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three weeks of days.

Daniel 10:19

and said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be of good cheer, and be well. And as he spoke unto me, I was strengthened and said, Let my Lord speak; for thou hast 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 prayer, and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn over him as one mourns for his only son, afflicting themselves over him as one afflicts himself over his firstborn.

Luke 6:21

Blessed are those that hunger now, for ye shall be filled. Blessed are those that weep now, for ye shall laugh.

Luke 6:25

Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

John 16:20-22

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, and the world shall rejoice; but even though ye shall be sorrowful, your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

Romans 5:3-4

And not only this, but we even glory in the tribulations, knowing that the tribulation works patience;

2 Corinthians 4:17

For our tribulation, which is momentary and light, prepares an exceeding and eternal weight of glory unto us;

Hebrews 12:10-11

For they verily for a few days chastened us as it seemed good unto them, but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

James 1:2-4

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse trials,

James 4:8-10

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

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