Parallel Verses
World English Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.
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.
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.
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 to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men, and the living should take this to heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Cross References
2 Corinthians 7:9-11
I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.
Psalm 119:67
Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.
Psalm 119:71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.
Psalm 126:5-6
Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.
Jeremiah 31:8-9
Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the uttermost parts of the earth, [and] with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her who travails with child together: a great company shall they return here.
Jeremiah 31:15-20
Thus says Yahweh: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.
Jeremiah 50:4-5
In those days, and in that time, says Yahweh, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together; they shall go on their way weeping, and shall seek Yahweh their God.
Daniel 9:3-19
I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and petitions, 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, "Greatly beloved man, don't be afraid: peace be to you, be strong, yes, be strong." 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 on the house of David, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they will look to me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and will grieve bitterly for him, as one grieves for his firstborn.
Luke 6:21
Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Luke 6:25
Woe to you, you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
John 16:20-22
Most certainly I tell you, that 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 this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance;
2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;
Hebrews 12:10-11
For they indeed, for a few days, punished us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness.
James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations,
James 4:8-10
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.