Parallel Verses
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
It is better to be sorry than to laugh, for when the countenance is heavy the heart is joyful.
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.
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 into a house of mourning, than into a banquet house: For there is the end of all men, and he that is living taketh it to heart. 3 It is better to be sorry than to laugh, for when the countenance is heavy the heart is joyful. 4 The heart of the wise is in the mourning house; but the heart of the foolish is in the house of mirth.
Cross References
2 Corinthians 7:9-11
But I now rejoice, not that ye were sorry, but that ye so sorrowed, that ye repented.
Psalm 119:67
Before I was troubled, I went wrong, but now I keep thy word.
Psalm 119:71
It is good for me that I have been in trouble, that I may learn thy statutes.
Psalm 126:5-6
They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy.
Jeremiah 31:8-9
Behold, I will bring them again from out of the north land, and gather them from the ends of the world, with the blind and lame that are among them, with the women that be great with child, and such as be also delivered: and the company of them that come again, shall be great.
Jeremiah 31:15-20
Thus sayeth the LORD, "The voice of heaviness, weeping and lamentation was heard on the hills; even of Rachel mourning for her children, and would not be comforted, because they were not."
Jeremiah 50:4-5
In those days, and at that time, sayeth the LORD, the children of Israel shall come; they and the children of Judah, weeping and making haste, and shall seek the LORD their God.
Daniel 9:3-19
and I turned me unto God the LORD, for to pray and make mine intercession, with fasting, sack cloth and ashes.
Daniel 10:2-3
At the same time, I, Daniel, mourned for the space of three weeks,
Daniel 10:19
saying, "O thou man so well beloved, fear not: be content, take a good heart unto thee, and be strong." So when he had spoken unto me, I recovered, and said, "Speak on, my lord, for thou hast refreshed me."
Zechariah 12:10-14
Moreover, upon the house of David and upon the citizens of Jerusalem, will I pour out the spirit of grace and prayer, so that they shall look upon me, whom they have pierced: and they shall beweep him, as men mourn for their only begotten son: Yea, and be sorry for him, as men are sorry for their first child
Luke 6:21
Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be satisfied. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Luke 6:25
Woe be to you that are full: for ye shall hunger. Woe be to you that now laugh: for ye shall wail, and weep.
John 16:20-22
Verily, verily I say unto you, Ye shall weep and lament, and the world shall rejoice. Ye shall sorrow: but your sorrow shall be turned to joy.
Romans 5:3-4
Neither do we so, only: but also we rejoice in tribulation: For we know that tribulation bringeth patience,
2 Corinthians 4:17
For our exceeding tribulation, which is momentary and light, prepareth an exceeding and eternal weight of glory unto us,
Hebrews 12:10-11
And they verily for a few days nurtured us after their own pleasure; but he learneth us unto that which is profitable, that we might receive of his holiness.
James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it exceeding joy when ye fall into divers temptations,
James 4:8-10
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands ye sinners, and purge your hearts ye wavering minded.