Ecclesiastes 3:4 “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to danc…”

Ecclesiastes 3:4

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

World English Bible

a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

American Standard Version

a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Geneva Bible 1599

A time to weepe, and a time to laugh: a time to mourne, and a time to dance.

Darby Translation

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Young's Literal Translation

A time to weep, And a time to laugh. A time to mourn, And a time to skip.

Bible in Basic English

A time for weeping and a time for laughing; a time for sorrow and a time for dancing;

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Cross references

“time to weep”

Psalm 30:5 Romans 12:15 James 4:9 John 16:20–22 2 Corinthians 7:10 Matthew 9:15

Psalm 30:5 · BSB

For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.

Romans 12:15 · BSB

Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

James 4:9 · BSB

Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom.

John 16:20–22 · BSB

Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

2 Corinthians 7:10 · BSB

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Matthew 9:15 · BSB

Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

“a time to laugh”

Luke 1:58 Luke 6:21–25 Genesis 21:6 Luke 1:13 Luke 1:14

Luke 1:58 · BSB

Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.

Luke 6:21–25 · BSB

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Genesis 21:6 · BSB

Then Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me.”

Luke 1:13 · BSB

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

Luke 1:14 · BSB

He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,

“to dance”

Exodus 15:20 2 Samuel 6:16

Exodus 15:20 · BSB

Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing.

2 Samuel 6:16 · BSB

As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

3a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build,

5a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

Read Ecclesiastes 3