Ecclesiastes 7:3–4

3 aSorrow is better than laughter,

For bwhen a face is sad a heart may be happy.

4 The 1mind of the wise is in the house of mourning,

While the 1mind of fools is in the house of pleasure.

Ecclesiastes 7:3–4 — The New International Version (NIV)

3 Frustration is better than laughter,

because a sad face is good for the heart.

4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,

but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.

Ecclesiastes 7:3–4 — English Standard Version (ESV)

3 Sorrow is better than laughter,

for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.

4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,

but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

Ecclesiastes 7:3–4 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

Ecclesiastes 7:3–4 — New Living Translation (NLT)

3 Sorrow is better than laughter,

for sadness has a refining influence on us.

4 A wise person thinks a lot about death,

while a fool thinks only about having a good time.

Ecclesiastes 7:3–4 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

3 Sorrow is better than laughter,

For by a sad countenance the heart is made better.

4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,

But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

Ecclesiastes 7:3–4 — New Century Version (NCV)

3 Sorrow is better than laughter,

and sadness has a good influence on you.

4 A wise person thinks about death,

but a fool thinks only about having a good time.

Ecclesiastes 7:3–4 — American Standard Version (ASV)

3 Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

Ecclesiastes 7:3–4 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

3 Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools in the house of mirth.

Ecclesiastes 7:3–4 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

3 Sorrow is better than laughter because, in spite of a sad face, the heart can be joyful. 4 The minds of wise people think about funerals, but the minds of fools think about banquets.