Ecclesiastes 7:3 “Sorrow is better than laughter, for a sad countenance is good for the…”

Ecclesiastes 7:3

Sorrow is better than laughter, for a sad countenance is good for the heart.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

American Standard Version

Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.

Geneva Bible 1599

A good name is better then a good oyntment, and the day of death, then the day that one is borne.

Darby Translation

Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

Young's Literal Translation

Better [is] sorrow than laughter, For by the sadness of the face the heart becometh better.

Bible in Basic English

Sorrow is better than joy; when the face is sad the mind gets better.

.mt-body { max-height: none !important; -webkit-mask-image: none !important; mask-image: none !important; } .mt-bar { display: none !important; } .o-trans::after { display: block !important; }

Cross references

“is better”

2 Corinthians 7:9–11 James 4:8–10 John 16:20–22 Jeremiah 31:15–20 Psalm 119:67 Psalm 119:71

2 Corinthians 7:9–11 · BSB

yet now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us.

James 4:8–10 · BSB

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

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.

Jeremiah 31:15–20 · BSB

This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Psalm 119:67 · BSB

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

Psalm 119:71 · BSB

It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.

“by”

2 Corinthians 4:17 James 1:2–4 Romans 5:3 Romans 5:4 Hebrews 12:10 Hebrews 12:11

2 Corinthians 4:17 · BSB

For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.

James 1:2–4 · BSB

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,

Romans 5:3 · BSB

Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

Romans 5:4 · BSB

perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Hebrews 12:10 · BSB

Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness.

Hebrews 12:11 · BSB

No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.

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

In context

2It is better to enter a house of mourning than a house of feasting, since death is the end of every man, and the living should take this to heart.

4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.

Read Ecclesiastes 7