Ecclesiastes 7:3

What does Ecclesiastes 7:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 7:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Better <FI>is<Fi> sorrow than laughter, For by the sadness of the face the heart becometh better.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

v.2It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

v.3This passage

v.4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 5:3

    And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness;

  • Psalms 119:71

    It is good for me that I have been afflicted; That I may learn thy statutes.

  • Psalms 126:5

    They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:17

    For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;

  • Daniel 10:19

    And he said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he spake unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

  • Daniel 9:3

    And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.

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