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. That is the end for all men and the living takes it to heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter,
For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.
4 The heart (feelings) of the wise is in the house of mourning. The heart of fools is in the house of rejoicing.

Cross References

2 Corinthians 7:9-11

I now rejoice, not because you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance; for you were made sorry after a godly fashion, that you might not suffer loss by us.

Psalm 119:67

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

Psalm 119:71

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.

Psalm 126:5-6

Those who cry while they plant will joyfully sing while they harvest.

Jeremiah 31:8-9

I am bringing them from the North Country. I will gather them from the remote parts of the earth. Among them are the blind and the lame, the woman with child and she who is in labor with child. As a great company they will return here.

Jeremiah 31:15-20

This is what Jehovah says: 'A sound is heard in Ramah, the sound of crying in bitter grief. Rachel is crying for her children. She refuses to be comforted, because they are dead.'

Jeremiah 50:4-5

In those days and at that time, declares Jehovah, the sons of Israel will come. Both they and the sons of Judah will go along weeping as they go. They will seek Jehovah their God.

Daniel 9:3-19

I looked to Jehovah 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

He said, O man greatly beloved, do not fear, peace be to you, be strong, yes, be strong. And when he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak for you have strengthened me.

Zechariah 12:10-14

I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of kindness and of supplication. They will look to the one whom they pierced; and they will mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son. There will be a bitter lamentation for him, like one who grieves for his first-born.

Luke 6:21

Blessed are you who hunger now for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now: for you shall laugh.

Luke 6:25

Woe to you who are full now! For you will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now! You will mourn and weep.

John 16:20-22

Truly I tell you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.

Romans 5:3-4

Not only that, but we also rejoice in our tribulations knowing that tribulation produces endurance.

2 Corinthians 4:17

Our light affliction is for the moment. It works more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory for us.

Hebrews 12:10-11

They disciplined us for a few days for their own pleasure. He disciplines for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

James 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials.

James 4:8-10

Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded (uncertain) (doubter) (skeptic).

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