| Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. | Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. |
| Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. | Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain 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. | Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. |
| We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away. | The name of the righteous is used in blessings, 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, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. |
| Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. | Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the 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 people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. |
| 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, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.” |
| How joyful are those who fear the Lord— all who follow his ways! | Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. |
| Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! | Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. |
| Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. | Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. |
| Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. | Blessed are those who keep his statutes 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; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. |
| 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. | If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married. |
| 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 chose for his inheritance. |
| Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands. | Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. |
| 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 what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” |
| 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 one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers. |
| 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. | Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. |
| Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life. | When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future. |
