And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.

For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

When the LORDrestored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

In that day the Lord GOD of hosts called for weeping and mourning, for baldness and wearing sackcloth;

And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

"'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'

Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.

A time to laugh

And Sarah said, "God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me."

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

"Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

To dance

Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing.

As the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.

General references

My lyre is turned to mourning, and my pipe to the voice of those who weep.

for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone.