32 Bible Verses about Joy

You must love him, though you have not seen him, but since you believe in him though you do not now see him, rejoice with triumphant, unutterable joy

Then he took them up to his house and offered them food, and he and all his household were very happy over their new faith in God.

And you followed the example set by us and by the Lord, for though our message brought you great trouble, you welcomed it with joy inspired by the holy Spirit,

But what difference does it make? All that matters is that, in one way or another, from false motives or honest ones, Christ is being made known; I am glad of that. Yes, and I expect to be glad, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, all this will turn out for my highest welfare,

and get the calf we are fattening, and kill it, and let us feast and celebrate, for my son here was dead, and he has come to life; he was lost, and he is found!' So they began to celebrate.

no light of any lamp will ever shine in you again; no voice of bride or bridegroom will ever be heard in you again. For your merchants were the great men of the earth; by your magic all the heathen have been led astray,

Be miserable, grieve, and weep aloud! Turn your laughter into grief and your happiness into gloom.

"Alas for you who have plenty to eat now, for you will be hungry! "Alas for you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep!

The seventy-two came back delighted, and said, "Master, when we use your name the very demons submit to us!"

When he reached there and saw the favor God had shown them, he was delighted, and encouraged them all to be resolute and steadfast in their devotion to the Lord,

for my son here was dead, and he has come to life; he was lost, and he is found!' So they began to celebrate.

More than that, we actually glory in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom we owe our reconciliation.

I have the greatest confidence in you. I take the greatest pride in you. I am fully comforted. After all my trouble, I am overjoyed.

For how can I thank God enough for you, for all the happiness you make me feel in the presence of our God,

I know of no greater blessing than hearing that my children are being guided by the truth.

I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world will be happy; you will grieve, but your grief will change to happiness.

so that, if it is God's will, I may come with a glad heart to see you and enjoy a visit with you.

That is why I am so comforted. With all my own comfort, I was still more overjoyed at the gladness of Titus, for his mind has been set at rest by you all.

This has led me to urge Titus to complete the arrangements he had formerly begun among you for this gracious undertaking.

They have cheered my heart, and yours too. You should appreciate such men.

Be glad and exult over it, for you will be richly rewarded in heaven, for that is the way they persecuted the prophets who went before you!

Be glad when that happens, and leap for joy, for you will be richly rewarded in heaven, for that is the way their forefathers treated the prophets.

When I remember the tears you shed I long night and day to see you again, and have the perfect happiness

and we write this to you to make your happiness complete.

Though I have a great deal to write to you, I would rather not write it with paper and ink, but I hope to come to see you, and talk with you face to face, so that your happiness may be complete.

So, my dear brothers whom I so long to see, my joy and pride, stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.

You are our pride and our joy.

I am convinced of this, and so I know that I shall stay on and serve you all, to help you to develop and to be glad in your faith.

Not that we are the masters of you and your faith; we are working with you to make you happy, for in your faith you stand firm enough.

pained, when I am always glad, poor, when I make many others rich, penniless, when really I own everything.

At present I am glad to be suffering in your interest, and I am making up in my own person what is lacking in Christ's sufferings for the church, which is his body.

Then they sang a new song: "You deserve to take the roll and open its seals, for you have been slaughtered, and with your blood have bought for God men from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, and have made them a kingdom of priests for our God, and they are to reign over the earth."

Therefore, rejoice, you heavens and you who live in them! But alas for the earth and the sea, for the devil has descended upon you in a great rage, for he knows that he has only a short time left."

pained, when I am always glad, poor, when I make many others rich, penniless, when really I own everything.

Goodbye, and the Lord be with you always. Again I say, goodbye.

offering men the message of life. Then I will have reason to boast of you on the Day of Christ, because my exertion and labor have not been wasted.

Obey your leaders and give way to them, for they are keeping watch in defense of your souls, as men accountable for the trust. Make their work a joy and not a grief, for that would be the worse for you.

make me perfectly happy by living in harmony, with the same attitude of love, with the same feeling and purpose.

Come, brother, let me make something out of you, in a Christian sense! Cheer my heart as a Christian.

Now, my brothers, goodbye, and the Lord be with you. I do not mind writing the same thing over and over to you; it is necessary for your safety.

offering men the message of life. Then I will have reason to boast of you on the Day of Christ, because my exertion and labor have not been wasted.

The church saw them off upon their journey, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria they told of the conversion of the heathen, and caused great rejoicing among all the brothers.

If any one of you is in trouble, he should pray. If any one is in good spirits, he should sing a hymn.

and speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and sacred songs. Sing praise to God with all your hearts;

We are the true circumcision, who worship God by his Spirit, priding ourselves only on Christ Jesus, and not relying on physical advantages,

My spirit exults in God my Savior.

For what hope or happiness shall we have or what prize to be proud of in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes, except you? You are our pride and our joy.

For how can I thank God enough for you, for all the happiness you make me feel in the presence of our God,

I have been greatly pleased and encouraged over your love, for the hearts of God's people have been cheered, my brother, by you.

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a hoard of money, buried in a field, which a man found, and buried again. And he was overjoyed, and went and sold everything he had and bought the field.

So there was great rejoicing in that city.

For what hope or happiness shall we have or what prize to be proud of in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes, except you? You are our pride and our joy.

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in his presence irreproachable and triumphant??25 to the one God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord now and forever and ever. Amen.

but be glad that you are in a measure sharing the sufferings of the Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may be triumphantly happy.

After beating them severely, they put them in jail, and gave the jailer orders to keep close watch of them.

But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,

Rejoice over this, although just now perhaps distressed by various trials;

You must find the greatest joy, my brothers, in being involved in various trials,

Be glad when that happens, and leap for joy, for you will be richly rewarded in heaven, for that is the way their forefathers treated the prophets.

And they went back with great joy to Jerusalem,

Then he took them up to his house and offered them food, and he and all his household were very happy over their new faith in God.

And most of the crowd spread their coats in his way, and others cut branches from the trees and scattered them before him. And the crowds that went in front of him and that followed him shouted, "God bless the Son of David! Blessed be he who comes in the Lord's name. God bless him from on high!"

And many of the people spread their coats in the road, and others cut straw from the fields and scattered it in his path. And those in front and those behind shouted, "God bless him! Blessed be he who comes in the Lord's name! Blessed be the reign of our father David which is coming! God bless him from on high!"

Day after day they all went regularly to the Temple, they broke their bread together in their homes, and they ate their food with glad and simple hearts,

But the disciples continued to be full of joy and of the holy Spirit.

Always be joyful.

And you followed the example set by us and by the Lord, for though our message brought you great trouble, you welcomed it with joy inspired by the holy Spirit,

pained, when I am always glad, poor, when I make many others rich, penniless, when really I own everything.

And I heard a sound from heaven, like the sound of great waters, and loud peals of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing on their harps. They were singing a new song before the throne and the four animals and the elders, and no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been ransomed from the earth.

for in spite of a severe ordeal of trouble, their extraordinary gladness, combined with their extreme poverty, has overflowed in a wealth of generosity.

Dear friends, do not be surprised that a test of fire is being applied to you, as though a strange thing were happening to you, but be glad that you are in a measure sharing the sufferings of the Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may be triumphantly happy.

Then I heard what sounded like the shout of a great multitude and the noise of many waters and the sound of mighty thunders, saying, "Praise the Lord; for the Lord our God, the Almighty now reigns!

"Blessed are you when people abuse you, and persecute you, and falsely say everything bad of you, on my account. Be glad and exult over it, for you will be richly rewarded in heaven, for that is the way they persecuted the prophets who went before you!

But what the Spirit produces is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

For you showed sympathy with those who were in prison, and you put up with it cheerfully when your property was taken from you, for you knew that you had in yourselves a greater possession that was lasting.

If you keep my commands you will retain my love, just as I have observed the Father's commands and retain his love. I have told you all this so that you may have the happiness that I have had, and your happiness may be complete.

Not that we are the masters of you and your faith; we are working with you to make you happy, for in your faith you stand firm enough.

This is what I said in my letter, so that I might avoid coming and having my feelings hurt by the very people who might have been expected to make me happy, for I felt sure about you all, that what made me happy would make you all happy.

His master said to him, 'Well done, my excellent, faithful slave! you have been faithful about a small amount; I will put a large one into your hands. Come, share your master's enjoyment!'

Suddenly there appeared with the angel a throng of the heavenly army, praising God, saying, "Glory to God in heaven and on earth! Peace to the men he favors!"

And they hurried away from the tomb frightened and yet overjoyed, and ran to tell the news to his disciples.

When they saw the star, they were very glad,

May God, the source of hope, fill you with perfect happiness and peace in your faith, so that you may have overflowing hope through the power of the holy Spirit.

Be happy in your hope, steadfast in time of trouble, persistent in prayer.

When they saw the star, they were very glad,

May God, the source of hope, fill you with perfect happiness and peace in your faith, so that you may have overflowing hope through the power of the holy Spirit.

so that, if it is God's will, I may come with a glad heart to see you and enjoy a visit with you.

fixing our eyes upon Jesus, our leader and example in faith, who in place of the happiness that belonged to him, submitted to a cross, caring nothing for its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

fixing our eyes upon Jesus, our leader and example in faith, who in place of the happiness that belonged to him, submitted to a cross, caring nothing for its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of uprightness, peace, and happiness through the possession of the holy Spirit.

but be glad that you are in a measure sharing the sufferings of the Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may be triumphantly happy.

The angel said to them, "Do not be frightened, for I bring you good news of a great joy that is to be felt by all the people, for today, in the town of David, a Savior for you has been born who is your Messiah and Lord.

You must love him, though you have not seen him, but since you believe in him though you do not now see him, rejoice with triumphant, unutterable joy

You must love him, though you have not seen him, but since you believe in him though you do not now see him, rejoice with triumphant, unutterable joy

and when he reaches home, he calls in his friends and neighbors, and says to them, 'Congratulate me, for I have found my lost sheep!' I tell you, in just that way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinful person who repents, than over ninety-nine upright people who do not need any repentance.

The news about them came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas all the way to Antioch. When he reached there and saw the favor God had shown them, he was delighted, and encouraged them all to be resolute and steadfast in their devotion to the Lord,

And he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and pitied him, and ran and fell on his neck, and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your eyes; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired men!' But his father said to his slaves, 'Make haste and get out the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; read more.
and get the calf we are fattening, and kill it, and let us feast and celebrate, for my son here was dead, and he has come to life; he was lost, and he is found!' So they began to celebrate. But his elder son was in the field. When he came in and approached the house, he heard music and dancing, and he called one of the servants to him and asked him what it meant. He said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the calf he has been fattening, because he has gotten him back alive and well.' But he was angry and would not go into the house. And his father came out and urged him. And he said to his father, 'Here I have served you all these years, and have never disobeyed an order of yours, and you have never given me a kid, so that I could entertain my friends. But when your son here came, who has eaten up your property with women of the street, for him you killed the calf you have been fattening!' But he said to him, 'My child, you have been with me all the time, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because your brother was dead, and has come to life, and was lost and is found!' "

I am here now on my way to Jerusalem, for the Spirit compels me to go there, though I do not know what will happen to me there, except that in every town I visit, the holy Spirit warns me that imprisonment and persecution are awaiting me. But my life does not matter, if I can only finish my race and do the service intrusted to me by the Lord Jesus, of declaring the good news of God's favor.

In just that way, I tell you, there is joy among the angels of God over one sinful person who repents!" And he said, "A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the property.' So he divided his property between them. read more.
Not many days later, the younger son gathered up all he had, and went away to a distant country, and there he squandered his property by fast living. After he had spent it all, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. And he went and hired himself out to a resident of the country, and he sent him into his fields to tend pigs. And he was ready to fill himself with the pods the pigs were eating, and no one would give him anything. When he came to himself he said, 'How many hired men my father has, who have more than enough to eat, and here I am, dying of hunger! I will get up, and go to my father, and say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your eyes; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired men!" ' And he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and pitied him, and ran and fell on his neck, and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your eyes; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired men!' But his father said to his slaves, 'Make haste and get out the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and get the calf we are fattening, and kill it, and let us feast and celebrate, for my son here was dead, and he has come to life; he was lost, and he is found!' So they began to celebrate. But his elder son was in the field. When he came in and approached the house, he heard music and dancing, and he called one of the servants to him and asked him what it meant. He said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the calf he has been fattening, because he has gotten him back alive and well.' But he was angry and would not go into the house. And his father came out and urged him. And he said to his father, 'Here I have served you all these years, and have never disobeyed an order of yours, and you have never given me a kid, so that I could entertain my friends. But when your son here came, who has eaten up your property with women of the street, for him you killed the calf you have been fattening!' But he said to him, 'My child, you have been with me all the time, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because your brother was dead, and has come to life, and was lost and is found!' "

But now I am coming to you, and I say this here in this world in order that they may have the happiness that I feel fully realized in their own hearts.

And they went back with great joy to Jerusalem,

Hitherto you have not asked for anything as my followers, but now ask, and you will receive, so that your happiness may be complete.

Then he took them up to his house and offered them food, and he and all his household were very happy over their new faith in God.

But my life does not matter, if I can only finish my race and do the service intrusted to me by the Lord Jesus, of declaring the good news of God's favor.

Day after day they all went regularly to the Temple, they broke their bread together in their homes, and they ate their food with glad and simple hearts, constantly praising God and respected by all the people. And every day the Lord added people who were saved to their number.

Symeon also took him in his arms and blessed God, and said, "Now, Master, you will let your slave go free In peace, as you promised, For my eyes have seen your salvation read more.
Which you have set before all the nations, A light of revelation for the heathen, And a glory to your people Israel!"

And his father Zechariah was filled with the holy Spirit and he uttered a divine message, saying, "Blessings on the Lord, the God of Israel, Because he has turned his attention to his people, and brought about their deliverance, And he has produced a mighty Savior for us In the house of his servant David. read more.
"By the lips of his holy prophets he promised of old to do this??71 To save us from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us, Thus showing mercy to our forefathers, And keeping his sacred agreement, "And the oath that he swore to our forefather Abraham, That we should be delivered from the hands of our enemies, And should serve him in holiness and uprightness, unafraid, In his own presence all our lives. "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, For you will go before the Lord to make his way ready, Bringing his people the knowledge of salvation Through the forgiveness of their sins. "Because the heart of our God is merciful, And so the day will dawn upon us from on high, To shine on men who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, And guide our feet into the way of peace."

And Mary said, "My heart extols the Lord, My spirit exults in God my Savior. For he has noticed his slave in her humble station, For from this time all the ages will think me favored! read more.
"For the Almighty has done wonders for me, How holy his name is! He shows his mercy age after age To those who fear him. "He has done mighty deeds with his arm, He has routed the proud-minded, He has dethroned monarchs and exalted the poor, He has satisfied the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty-handed. "He has helped his servant Israel, Remembering his mercy, As he promised our forefathers To have mercy on Abraham and his descendants forever!" So Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned home.

In just that way, I tell you, there is joy among the angels of God over one sinful person who repents!"

I tell you, in just that way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinful person who repents, than over ninety-nine upright people who do not need any repentance.

Suddenly there appeared with the angel a throng of the heavenly army, praising God, saying, "Glory to God in heaven and on earth! Peace to the men he favors!"

I have told you all this, so that through me you may find peace. In the world you have trouble; but take courage! I have conquered the world."

by whom we have been introduced through faith to the favor of God that we now enjoy, and let us glory in our hope of sharing the glory of God.

But do not be glad that the spirits submit to you, but be glad that your names are enrolled in heaven."

At that moment he was inspired with joy, and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding all this from the learned and intelligent, and revealing it to children! Yes, I thank you, Father, for choosing to have it so!

But now I am coming to you, and I say this here in this world in order that they may have the happiness that I feel fully realized in their own hearts.

I have told you all this so that you may have the happiness that I have had, and your happiness may be complete.

I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world will be happy; you will grieve, but your grief will change to happiness.

So they went out from before the council, glad that they had been thought worthy to bear disgrace for the sake of Jesus,

I tell you, in just that way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinful person who repents, than over ninety-nine upright people who do not need any repentance.

You have made the ways of life known to me, And you will fill me with joy in your presence.'

The church saw them off upon their journey, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria they told of the conversion of the heathen, and caused great rejoicing among all the brothers.

My spirit exults in God my Savior.

The reaper is already being paid and gathering the harvest for eternal life, so that the sower may be glad with the reaper.

Be miserable, grieve, and weep aloud! Turn your laughter into grief and your happiness into gloom.

You must love him, though you have not seen him, but since you believe in him though you do not now see him, rejoice with triumphant, unutterable joy to attain the goal of faith, the salvation of your souls.

In the days when Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the division of Abijah. His wife was also a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both upright in the sight of God, blamelessly observing all the Lord's commands and requirements. They had no children, for Elizabeth was barren; and they were both advanced in life. read more.
Once when he was acting as priest before God, when his division was on duty, it fell to his lot, according to the priests' practice, to go into the sanctuary of the Lord and burn the incense, while all the throng of people was outside, praying at the hour of the incense offering. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was startled and overcome with fear. And the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. This will bring gladness and delight to you, and many will rejoice over his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink no wine or strong drink, but he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth, and he will turn many of Israel's descendants to the Lord their God. He will go before him with the spirit and the power of Elijah, to reconcile fathers to their children, and to bring the disobedient back to the wisdom of upright men, to make a people perfectly ready for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "How am I to know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in life." The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the very presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. Now you will keep silent and be unable to speak until the day when this happens, because you have not believed what I have said, for it will all be fulfilled in due time." The people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondering that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. But when he came out he could not speak to them, and they knew that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. For his part, he kept making signs to them, and remained dumb. And when his period of service was over, he went back to his home. Soon afterward his wife Elizabeth began to expect a child, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months. "This is what the Lord has done for me," she said, "now that he has deigned to remove the disgrace I have endured." In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a maiden there who was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The maiden's name was Mary. And the angel went into the town and said to her, "Good morning, favored woman! The Lord be with you!" But she was startled at what he said, and wondered what this greeting meant. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have gained God's approval. You are to become a mother and you will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his forefather David, and he will reign over Jacob's house forever; his reign will have no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, when I have no husband?" The angel answered, "The holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. For that reason your child will be called holy, and the Son of God. And your relative, Elizabeth, although she is old, is going to give birth to a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was said to be barren. For nothing is ever impossible for God." And Mary said, "I am the Lord's slave. Let it be as you say." Then the angel left her. In those days Mary set out and hurried to the hill-country, to a town in Judah, and she went to Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the babe stirred within her. And Elizabeth was filled with the holy Spirit and she gave a great cry, and said, "You are the most favored of women, And blessed is your child! Who am I, To have the mother of my Lord come to me? "For the moment your greeting reached my ears, The child stirred with joy within me!

The church saw them off upon their journey, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria they told of the conversion of the heathen, and caused great rejoicing among all the brothers.

And when he finds it, he puts it on his shoulders with joy,

So there was great rejoicing in that city.

When they heard this, they made no further objection, but they gave honor to God, and said, "Then God has given even the heathen repentance and the hope of life!"

and were constantly in the Temple, blessing God.

The seventy-two came back delighted, and said, "Master, when we use your name the very demons submit to us!"

But they could not yet believe it for sheer joy and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?"

and when she recognized Peter's voice, in her joy she did not stop to open the door, but ran in and told them that Peter was standing outside.

But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,

for in spite of a severe ordeal of trouble, their extraordinary gladness, combined with their extreme poverty, has overflowed in a wealth of generosity.

and always whenever I pray for you all I do it with joy,

And they hurried away from the tomb frightened and yet overjoyed, and ran to tell the news to his disciples.

And you followed the example set by us and by the Lord, for though our message brought you great trouble, you welcomed it with joy inspired by the holy Spirit,

And the shepherds went back glorifying God and praising him for all that they had heard and seen in fulfilment of what they had been told.

When they saw the star, they were very glad,

and he sprang to his feet and began to walk, and he went into the Temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God.

You have heard me say that I am going away and am coming back to you; if you loved me you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

and get the calf we are fattening, and kill it, and let us feast and celebrate, for my son here was dead, and he has come to life; he was lost, and he is found!' So they began to celebrate.

pained, when I am always glad, poor, when I make many others rich, penniless, when really I own everything.

But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,

I have the greatest confidence in you. I take the greatest pride in you. I am fully comforted. After all my trouble, I am overjoyed.

Goodbye, and the Lord be with you always. Again I say, goodbye.

You have heard me say that I am going away and am coming back to you; if you loved me you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.