Ecclesiastes 7:3

In 11 translations

BSB

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

KJV

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.Sorrow: or, Anger

WEB

Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.

ASV

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

LSV

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

YLT

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

DBY

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

DRC7:4

Anger is better than laughter: because by the sadness of the countenance the mind of the offender is corrected.

GNV7:5

Anger is better then laughter: for by a sad looke the heart is made better.

JPS

Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart may be gladdened.

LXXE

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart will be made better.

Word by word Hebrew · tap a word

Words in brackets are English the glossers added; the Hebrew has no word for them, and they can carry a choice of tense or meaning.

Original-language editions

WLC

ט֥וֹב כַּ֖עַס מִשְּׂחֹ֑ק כִּֽי־בְרֹ֥עַ פָּנִ֖ים יִ֥יטַב לֵֽב׃

LXX-Br

Ἀγαθὸν θυμὸς ὑπὲρ γέλωτα, ὅτι ἐν κακίᾳ προσώπου ἀγαθυνθήσεται καρδία.

In the reference works topics that cite this verse

From public-domain Bible dictionaries and topical indexes (1884–1915).

Cross-references most cited first

• 2 Corinthians 7:9–11And 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. Godly sorrow brings…
• Romans 5:3–4Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
• James 4:8–10Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble…
• John 16:20–22Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her…
• James 1:2–4Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and…
• Hebrews 12:10–11Our 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. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it…
• 2 Corinthians 4:17For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison.
• Jeremiah 31:15–20This 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.” This is what the LORD says: “Keep your voice…
• Jeremiah 31:8–9Behold, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, including the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor. They will return as a great assembly!…
• Zechariah 12:10–14Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and…
• Psalms 119:71It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.
• Daniel 10:19“Do not be afraid, you who are highly precious,” he said. “Peace be with you! Be strong now; be very strong!” As he spoke with me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”
• Luke 6:21Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
• Psalms 119:67Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word.
• Luke 6:25Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
• Jeremiah 50:4–5“In those days and at that time, declares the LORD, the children of Israel and the children of Judah will come together, weeping as they come, and will seek the LORD their God. They will ask the way to Zion and turn…

From the OpenBible.info cross-reference set (votes from readers; not every link is a quotation or allusion).