Ecclesiastes 7:3 — Compare All Translations

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

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

English ASV

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

English Amplified

Sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better and gains gladness. [II Cor. 7:10.]

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

Sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better and gains gladness. [II Cor. 7:10.]

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

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

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

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

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

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

English EASY 2024

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

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

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

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

English GNT (Good News Translation)

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

English God's Word - GW 1995

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

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

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

English KJV 1611

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

English LSB

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

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

Grief is better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance the heart considers the good.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

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

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

Sorrow is better than laughter, because when the face is sad the heart grows wiser.

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

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

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

Sadness is good for the heart. That's why sorrow is better than laughter.

English NIV

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

English NKJ 1982

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

English NLT

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

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

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

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

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

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

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

English Tyndale 1537

It is better to be sorry than to laugh, for when the countenance is heavy, the heart is joyful.

Ecclesiastes 7:3 — Compare Translations