Ecclesiastes 7:3-4

7:3 Sorrow ¹  is better than laughter,

because sober reflection ²  is good for the heart. ³ 

7:4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,

but the heart of fools is in the house of merrymaking. ⁴ 

[7:3]  ¹ tn NEB suggests “grief”; NJPS, “vexation.”

[7:3]  ² tn Heb “in sadness of face there is good for the heart.”

[7:3]  ³ tn Or possibly “Though the face is sad, the heart may be glad.”

[7:4]  ⁴ sn The expression the house of merrymaking refers to a banquet where those who attend engage in self-indulgent feasting and riotous drinking.