Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. | Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. |
Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. | Blessed is a person who finds wisdom, And one who obtains understanding. |
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But consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin. | Behold, happy is the person whom God disciplines, So do not reject the discipline of the Almighty. |
We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away. | The mentioning of the righteous is a blessing, But the name of the wicked will rot. |
So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this! | Go then, eat your bread in happiness, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works. |
Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. | One who pays attention to the word will find good, And blessed is one who trusts in the Lord. |
So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. | I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; moreover, that every person who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—this is the gift of God. |
A newly married man must not be drafted into the army or be given any other official responsibilities. He must be free to spend one year at home, bringing happiness to the wife he has married. | When a man takes a new wife, he is not to go out with the army, nor be assigned any duty; he shall be free at home for one year and shall make his wife whom he has taken happy. |
For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.” | For, “The one who desires life, to love and see good days, Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it.” |
How joyful are those who fear the Lord— all who follow his ways! | Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. |
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! | How blessed is he whose wrongdoing is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! |
Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. | Blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the Law of the Lord. |
Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. | Blessed are those who comply with His testimonies, And seek Him with all their heart. |
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! | Taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! |
Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life. | On the day of prosperity be happy, But on the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other So that a person will not discover anything that will come after him. |
What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. | Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen for His own inheritance. |
Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands. | Praise the Lord! Blessed is a person who fears the Lord, Who greatly delights in His commandments. |
But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. | But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread. |
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. | Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! |
And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. | Furthermore, as for every person to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also given him the opportunity to enjoy them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. |