Parallel Verses
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].
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.
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.
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 [day of death] is the end of every man,
And the living will take it to heart and solemnly ponder its meaning.
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].
The heart of the wise [learns when it] is in the house of mourning,
But the heart of fools is [senseless] in the house of pleasure.
Cross References
2 Corinthians 7:9-11
yet I am glad now, not because you were hurt and made sorry, but because your sorrow led to repentance [and you turned back to God]; for you felt a grief such as God meant you to feel, so that you might not suffer loss in anything on our account.
Psalm 119:67
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep and honor Your word [with loving obedience].
Psalm 119:71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.
Psalm 126:5-6
They who sow in tears shall reap with joyful singing.
Jeremiah 31:8-9
“Behold, I am bringing them from the north country,
And I will gather them from the remote parts of the earth,
Among them [will be] the blind and the lame,
The woman with child and she who labors in childbirth, together;
A great company, they will return here [to Jerusalem].
Jeremiah 31:15-20
Thus says the Lord,
“A
Lamentation (songs of mourning) and bitter weeping.
Rachel (Israel) is weeping for her children;
She refuses to be comforted for her children,
Because they are gone.”
Jeremiah 50:4-5
“In those days and at that time,” says the Lord, “the children of Israel will come, they and the children of Judah together; they will come up weeping [in repentance] as they come and seek the Lord their God [inquiring for and of Him].
Daniel 9:3-19
So I directed my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.
Daniel 10:2-3
In those days I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks.
Daniel 10:19
He said, “O man, highly regarded and greatly beloved, do not be afraid. Peace be to you; take courage and be strong.” Now when he had spoken to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
Zechariah 12:10-14
“I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace (unmerited favor) and supplication. And they will look at Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him as one who weeps bitterly over a firstborn.
Luke 6:21
Luke 6:25
John 16:20-22
Romans 5:3-4
And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance;
2 Corinthians 4:17
For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]!
Hebrews 12:10-11
For our earthly fathers disciplined us for only a short time as seemed best to them; but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.
James 1:2-4
Consider it nothing but joy, my
James 4:8-10
Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people].