Ecclesiastes 3:7

New International Reader's Version

There is a time to tear. And there’s a time to mend. There is a time to be silent. And there’s a time to speak.

Cross References

Genesis 37:29

Later, Reuben came back to the empty well. He saw that Joseph wasn’t there. He was so upset that he tore his clothes.

Genesis 37:34

Jacob tore his clothes. He put on the rough clothing people wear when they’re sad. Then he mourned for his son many days.

Genesis 44:18

Then Judah went up to him. He said, “Please, sir. Let me speak a word to you. Don’t be angry with me, even though you are equal to Pharaoh himself.

Genesis 44:34

How can I go back to my father if the boy isn’t with me? No! Don’t let me see the pain and suffering that would come to my father.”

2 Samuel 1:11

Then David tore his clothes. And all his men tore their clothes.

2 Samuel 3:31

David spoke to Joab and all the people with him. He said, “Tear your clothes. Put on the rough clothing people wear when they’re sad. Mourn when you walk in front of Abner’s body.” King David himself walked behind it.

1 Kings 21:27

When Ahab heard what Elijah had said, he tore his clothes. He put on the rough clothing people wear when they’re sad. He went without eating. He even slept in his clothes. He went around looking sad.

2 Kings 18:36

But the people remained silent. They didn’t say anything. That’s because King Hezekiah had commanded, “Don’t answer him.”

2 Kings 5:7

The king of Israel read the letter. As soon as he did, he tore his royal robes. He said, “Am I God? Can I kill people and bring them back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be healed of his skin disease? He must be trying to pick a fight with me!”

2 Kings 6:30

When the king heard the woman’s words, he tore his royal robes. As he walked along the wall, the people looked up at him. They saw that under his robes he was wearing the rough clothing people wear when they’re sad.

Esther 7:4

My people and I have been sold to be destroyed. We’ve been sold to be killed and wiped out. Suppose we had only been sold as male and female slaves. Then I wouldn’t have said anything. That kind of suffering wouldn’t be a good enough reason to bother you.”

Job 2:13

Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him. That’s because they saw how much he was suffering.

Psalm 39:2

So I was completely silent. I didn’t even say anything good. But the pain inside me grew worse.

Ecclesiastes 3:6

There is a time to search. And there’s a time to stop searching. There is a time to keep. And there’s a time to throw away.

Isaiah 36:21

But the people remained silent. They didn’t say anything. That’s because King Hezekiah had commanded, “Don’t answer him.”

Jeremiah 36:24

The king and some of his attendants heard all these words. But they weren’t afraid. They didn’t tear their clothes.

Jeremiah 8:14

Why are we sitting here? Let’s gather together! Let’s run to the cities that have high walls around them! Let’s die there! The Lord our God has sentenced us to death. He has given us poisoned water to drink. That’s because we’ve sinned against him.

Lamentations 3:28

Let him sit alone and not say anything. The Lord has placed that load on him.

Joel 2:13

Don’t just tear your clothes to show how sad you are. Let your hearts be broken. Return to the Lord your God. He is gracious. He is tender and kind. He is slow to get angry. He is full of love. He won’t bring his judgment. He won’t destroy you.

Amos 5:13

So those who are wise keep quiet in times like these. That’s because the times are evil.

Amos 8:3

“The time is coming when the songs in the temple will turn to weeping,” announces the Lord and King. “Many, many bodies will be thrown everywhere! So be quiet!”

Micah 7:5

Don’t trust your neighbors. Don’t put your faith in your friends. Be careful what you say even to your own wife.

Acts 4:20

There’s nothing else we can do. We have to speak about the things we’ve seen and heard.”

Acts 9:39

Peter went with them. When he arrived, he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him crying. They showed him the robes and other clothes Dorcas had made before she died.

1 Samuel 10:16

Saul replied, “He told us the donkeys had been found.” But Saul didn’t tell his uncle that Samuel had said he would become king.