Other translations
American Standard Version
Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.
Darby Bible Translation
Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
Holy Bible: Douay-Rheims Version (Genuine Leather Black)
Anger is better than laughter: because by the sadness of the countenance the mind of the offender is corrected.
ERV 1885 English Revised Version with Strong's Concordance
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.
English Standard Version Journaling Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.
God's Word
Sorrow is better than laughter because, in spite of a sad face, the heart can be joyful.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Grief is better than laughter, for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad.
International Standard Version
Sorrow is better than laughter, because the heart is made better through trouble.
NET Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good for the heart.
New American Standard Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.
New International Version
Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.
New Living Translation
Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.
Webster's Bible Translation
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
The World English Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.
EasyEnglish Bible
If you are sad, that is better for you than to laugh all the time. We learn more about ourselves when we are sad.
Young‘s Literal Translation
Better [is] sorrow than laughter, For by the sadness of the face the heart becometh better.
New Life Version
To have sorrow is better than to laugh because when a face is sad, the heart may become strong.
The Voice Bible
Sorrow beats foolish laughter; embracing sadness somehow gladdens our hearts.
Living Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.
New Catholic Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad countenance may conceal a joyful heart.
Legacy Standard Bible
Better is vexation than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be merry.
Jubilee Bible 2000
Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made whole.
Christian Standard Bible
Grief is better than laughter, for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad.
Amplified Bible © 1954
Sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better and gains gladness.
New Century Version
Sorrow is better than laughter, and sadness has a good influence on you.
The Message
Crying is better than laughing. It blotches the face but it scours the heart.
Evangelical Heritage Version ™
Grief is better than laughter, because a sad face does a heart good.
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance the heart is made glad.
Good News Translation®
Sorrow is better than laughter; it may sadden your face, but it sharpens your understanding.
Wycliffe Bible
Ire is better than laughing; for the soul of a trespasser is amended by the heaviness of (his) cheer.
Contemporary English Version
Choose sorrow over laughter because a sad face may hide a happy heart.
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance the heart is made glad.
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance the heart is made glad.
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance the heart is made glad.
Common English Bible © 2011
Aggravation is better than merriment because a sad face may lead to a glad heart.
Amplified Bible © 2015
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].
English Standard Version Anglicised
Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Sorrow is better than laughter; when the face is sad, the heart grows wise.
New American Standard Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.
The Expanded Bible
·Sorrow [or Anger] is better than laughter, and ·sadness has a good influence on you [in a troubled face the heart is made well].
Tree of Life Version
Grief is better than laughter, for though the face is sad, the heart may be glad.
Revised Standard Version
Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance the heart is made glad.
New International Reader's Version
Not being able to figure things out is better than laughter. That’s because sorrow is good for the heart.
BRG Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
Complete Jewish Bible
Grief is better than laughter, for sadness can improve a person.
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised
Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance the heart is made glad.
Orthodox Jewish Bible
Ka’as (sorrow) is better than laughter; for sadness of the countenance is good for the lev.
Names of God Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter because, in spite of a sad face, the heart can be joyful.
Modern English Version
Grief is better than laughter, for with a downcast face the heart considers the good.
Easy-to-Read Version
Sorrow is even better than laughter, because when our face is sad, our heart becomes good.
International Children’s Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter. Sadness has a good influence on you.
Lexham English Bible
Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance the heart is made good.
New International Version - UK
Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.