Ecclesiastes 7:3

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Translations sourced from the public-domain WEB, KJV, and ASV. See all sources.

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

— WEB

“Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.”

— KJV

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

— ASV

Cross-references

Related verses via the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

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…"
Romans 5:3-4 "Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance;"
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."
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."
Jeremiah 31:15-20 "Yahweh says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted for…"
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 turn…"
James 1:2-4 "Count it all joy, my brothers,The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sister…"

Commentary

Sorrow--such as arises from serious thoughts of eternity. laughter--reckless mirth (Ecc 2:2). by the sadness . . . better-- (Psa 126:5-6; Co2 4:17; Heb 12:10-11). MAURER translates: "In sadness of countenance there is (may be) a good (cheerful) heart." So Hebrew, for "good," equivalent to "cheerful" (Ecc 11:9); but the parallel clause supports English Version.

— Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary (public domain)

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