Ecclesiastes 3:4

New International Reader's Version

There is a time to weep. And there’s a time to laugh. There is a time to be sad. And there’s a time to dance.

Cross References

Genesis 21:6

Sarah said, “God has given laughter to me. Everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”

2 Samuel 6:16

The ark of the Lord was brought into the City of David. Saul’s daughter Michal was watching from a window. She saw King David leaping and dancing in front of the Lord. That made her hate him in her heart.

Psalm 30:11

You turned my loud crying into dancing. You removed my clothes of sadness and dressed me with joy.

Psalm 30:5

His anger lasts for only a moment. But his favor lasts for a person’s whole life. Weeping can stay for the night. But joy comes in the morning.

Exodus 15:20

Aaron’s sister Miriam was a prophet. She took a tambourine in her hand. All the women followed her. They played tambourines and danced.

Ecclesiastes 3:5

There is a time to scatter stones. And there’s a time to gather them. There is a time to embrace someone. And there’s a time not to embrace.

Ecclesiastes 7:14

When times are good, be happy. But when times are bad, here’s something to think about. God has made bad times. He has also made good times. So no one can find out anything about what’s ahead for them.

Isaiah 40:1

“Comfort my people,” says your God. “Comfort them.

Isaiah 40:2

Speak tenderly to the people of Jerusalem. Announce to them that their hard labor has been completed. Tell them that their sin has been paid for. Tell them the Lord has punished them enough for all their sins.”

Matthew 11:17

“ ‘We played the flute for you. But you didn’t dance. We sang a funeral song. But you didn’t become sad.’

Matthew 9:15

Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the groom be sad while he is with them? The time will come when the groom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast.

Luke 1:58

Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very kind to her. They shared her joy.

Romans 12:15

Be joyful with those who are joyful. Be sad with those who are sad.

2 Corinthians 7:10

Godly sadness causes us to turn away from our sins and be saved. And we are certainly not sorry about that! But worldly sadness brings death.

James 4:9

Be full of sorrow. Cry and weep. Change your laughter to mourning. Change your joy to sadness.