Ecclesiastes 7:3

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

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

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].

AMPC

Sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better and gains gladness.

BRG

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

CSB

Grief is better than laughter, for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad.

CEB

Aggravation is better than merriment because a sad face may lead to a glad heart.

CJB

Grief is better than laughter, for sadness can improve a person.

CEV

Choose sorrow over laughter because a sad face may hide a happy heart.

DARBY

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

DRA

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of feasting: for in that we are put in mind of the end of all, and the living thinketh what is to come.

ERV

Sorrow is even better than laughter, because when our face is sad, our heart becomes good.

EASY

If you are sad, that is better for you than to laugh all the time. We learn more about ourselves when we are sad.

EHV

Grief is better than laughter, because a sad face does a heart good.

ESV

Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.

ESVUK

Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.

EXB

·Sorrow [or Anger] is better than laughter, and ·sadness has a good influence on you [in a troubled face the heart is made well].

GNV

A good name is better than a good ointment, and the day of death, than the day that one is born.

Sorrow is better than laughter because, in spite of a sad face, the heart can be joyful.

GNT

Sorrow is better than laughter; it may sadden your face, but it sharpens your understanding.

HCSB

Grief is better than laughter, for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad.

ICB

Sorrow is better than laughter. Sadness has a good influence on you.

ISV

Sorrow is better than laughter, because the heart is made better through trouble.

JUB

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

KJV

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

AKJV

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

LSB

Better is vexation than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be merry.

LEB

Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance the heart is made good.

TLB

Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.

MSG

Crying is better than laughing. It blotches the face but it scours the heart.

MEV

Grief is better than laughter, for with a downcast face the heart considers the good.

NOG

Sorrow is better than laughter because, in spite of a sad face, the heart can be joyful.

NABRE

Sorrow is better than laughter; when the face is sad, the heart grows wise.

NASB

Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.

NASB1995

Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.

NCB

Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad countenance may conceal a joyful heart.

NCV

Sorrow is better than laughter, and sadness has a good influence on you.

NET

Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good for the heart.

NIRV

Not being able to figure things out is better than laughter. That’s because sorrow is good for the heart.

NIV

Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.

NIVUK

Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.

NKJV

Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better.

NLV

To have sorrow is better than to laugh because when a face is sad, the heart may become strong.

NLT

Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.

NRSVA