32 Bible Verses about Joy

You never knew him, but you love him; for the moment you do not see him, but you believe in him, and you will thrill with an unspeakable and glorious joy

He took them up to his house and put food before them, overjoyed like all his household at having believed in God.

and you started to copy us and the Lord, welcoming the word, though it brought you heavy trouble, with a joy inspired by the holy Spirit.

What does it matter? Anyhow, for ulterior ends or honestly, Christ is being proclaimed, and I rejoice over that; yes and I will rejoice over it. The outcome of all this, I know, will be my release, as you continue to pray for me, and as I am provided with the Spirit of Jesus Christ ??20 my eager desire and hope being that I may never feel ashamed but that now as ever I may do honour to Christ in my own person by fearless courage. Whether that means life or death, no matter!

and bring the fatted calf, kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for my son here was dead and he has come to life, he was lost and he is found.' So they began to make merry.

For the magnates of earth were thy traders; all nations were seduced by thy magic spells.

Lament and mourn and weep, let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to depression;

Woe to you who have your fill to-day! you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh to-day! you will wail and weep.

The seventy came back with joy. "Lord," they said, "the very daemons obey us in your name."

When he came and saw the grace of God he rejoiced, and encouraged them all to hold by the Lord with heartfelt purpose

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

Not only so, but we triumph in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we now enjoy our reconciliation.

I have absolute confidence in you, I am indeed proud of you, you are a perfect comfort to me, I am overflowing with delight, for all the trouble I have to bear.

How can I render thanks enough to God for you, for all the joy you make me feel in the presence of our God?

I have no greater joy than to hear of my children living in the Truth.

Truly, truly I tell you, you will be wailing and lamenting while the world is rejoicing; you will be sorrowful, but then your sorrow will be changed into joy.

Then, by God's will, I shall gladly come to you and rest beside you.

That is what comforts me. And over and above my personal comfort, I was specially delighted at the delight of Titus. You have all set his mind at rest.

This has led me to ask Titus to complete the arrangements for the same gracious contribution among yourselves, as it was he who started it.

They refresh my spirit as they do your own. You should appreciate men like that.

rejoice and exult in it, for your reward is rich in heaven; that is how they persecuted the prophets before you.

rejoice on that day and leap for joy! rich is your reward in heaven for their fathers did the very same to the prophets.

When I recall the tears you shed when we parted, I long by night and day to see you again. That would fill me with joy,

We are writing this to you that our own joy may be complete.

I have a great deal to write to you, but I do not mean to use ink and paper; I hope to visit you and have a talk with you, so that your joy may be unimpaired.

So then, my brothers, for whom I cherish love and longing, my joy and crown, this is how you must stand firm in the Lord, O my beloved.

Why, you, you are our glory and joy!

I am sure it is, and so I know I shall remain alive and serve you all by forwarding your progress and fostering the joy of your faith.

(Not that we lord it over your faith ??no, we co-operate for your joy: you have a standing of your own in the faith.)

grieved but always glad, a 'pauper', but the means of wealth to many, without a penny but possessed of all.

I am suffering now on your behalf, but I rejoice in that; I would make up the full sum of all that Christ has to suffer in my person on behalf of the church, his Body;

singing a new song: "Thou deservest to take the scroll and open its seals, for thou wast slain and by shedding thy blood hast ransomed for God men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation; thou hast made them kings and priests for our God, and they shall reign on earth."

Rejoice for this, O heavens and ye that dwell in them! But woe to earth and sea! The devil has descended to you in fierce anger, knowing that his time is short."

grieved but always glad, a 'pauper', but the means of wealth to many, without a penny but possessed of all.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, 'rejoice.'

hold fast the word of life, so that I can be proud of you on the Day of Christ, because I have not run or worked for nothing.

Obey your leaders, submit to them; for they are alive to the interests of your souls, as men who will have to account for their trust. Let their work be a joy to them and not a grief ??which would be a loss to yourselves.

I pray you to give me the utter joy of knowing you are living in harmony, with the same feelings of love, with one heart and soul,

Come, brother, let me have some return from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ.

Well then, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. I am repeating this word 'rejoice' in my letter, but that does not tire me and it is the safe course for you. ??2 Beware of these dogs, these wicked workmen, the incision-party!

hold fast the word of life, so that I can be proud of you on the Day of Christ, because I have not run or worked for nothing.

The church sped them on their journey, and they passed through both Phoenicia and Syria informing the brothers, to the great joy of all, that the Gentiles were turning to God.

Is anyone of you in trouble? let him pray. Is anyone thriving? let him sing praise.

converse with one another in the music of psalms, in hymns, and in songs of the spiritual life, praise the Lord heartily with words and music,

We are the true Circumcision, we who worship God in spirit, we who pride ourselves on Christ Jesus, we who rely upon no outward privilege.

My spirit has joy in God my Saviour:

For who is our hope, our joy, our crown of pride (who but you?) in the presence of our Lord Jesus on his arrival? Why, you, you are our glory and joy!

How can I render thanks enough to God for you, for all the joy you make me feel in the presence of our God?

I have had great joy and encouragement over your love, my brother, over the way you have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

The Realm of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field; the man who finds it hides it and in his delight goes and sells all he possesses and buys that field.

So there was great rejoicing in that town.

For who is our hope, our joy, our crown of pride (who but you?) in the presence of our Lord Jesus on his arrival? Why, you, you are our glory and joy!

Now to him who is able to keep you from slipping and to make you stand unblemished and exultant before his glory ??25 to the only God, our saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and for all time: Amen.

You are sharing what Christ suffered; so rejoice in it, that you may also rejoice and exult when his glory is revealed.

had many lashes inflicted on them and put them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safe.

But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing to God, while the prisoners listened,

You will rejoice then, though for the passing moment you may need to suffer various trials;

Greet it as pure joy, my brothers, when you come across any sort of trial,

rejoice on that day and leap for joy! rich is your reward in heaven for their fathers did the very same to the prophets.

They [worshipped him and] returned with great joy to Jerusalem,

He took them up to his house and put food before them, overjoyed like all his household at having believed in God.

and the greater part of the crowd spread their clothes on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. And the crowds who went in front of him and who followed behind shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed be he who comes in the Lord's name! Hosanna in high heaven!"

Many also spread their clothes on the road, while others strewed leaves cut from the fields; and both those in front and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed be he who comes in the Lord's name! Blessed be the Reign to come, our father David's reign. Hosanna in high heaven!"

Day after day they resorted with one accord to the temple and broke bread together in their own homes; they ate with a glad and simple heart,

As for the disciples, they were filled with joy and the holy Spirit.

rejoice at all times,

and you started to copy us and the Lord, welcoming the word, though it brought you heavy trouble, with a joy inspired by the holy Spirit.

grieved but always glad, a 'pauper', but the means of wealth to many, without a penny but possessed of all.

And I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of many waves and the sound of loud thunder; the voice I heard was like harpists playing on their harps; they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living Creatures and the Presbyters, and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been ransomed from earth.

Amid a severe ordeal of trouble, their overflowing joy and their deep poverty together have poured out a flood of rich generosity;

Beloved, do not be surprised at the ordeal that has come to test you, as though some foreign experience befell you. You are sharing what Christ suffered; so rejoice in it, that you may also rejoice and exult when his glory is revealed.

Then I heard a cry like the shout of a great host and the sound of many waves and the roar of heavy thunder ??"Hallelujah! now the Lord our God almighty reigns!

Blessed are you when men denounce you and persecute you and utter all manner of evil against you for my sake; rejoice and exult in it, for your reward is rich in heaven; that is how they persecuted the prophets before you.

But the harvest of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, good temper, kindliness, generosity, fidelity,

for you did sympathize with the prisoners, and you took the confiscation of your own belongings cheerfully, conscious that elsewhere you had higher, you had lasting, possessions.

If you keep my commands you will remain within my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain within his love. I have told you this, that my joy may be within you and your joy complete.

(Not that we lord it over your faith ??no, we co-operate for your joy: you have a standing of your own in the faith.)

So the very reason I wrote was that I might not come only to be pained by those who ought to give me joy; I relied on you all, I felt sure that my joy would be a joy for everyone of you.

His master said to him, 'Capital, you excellent and trusty servant! You have been trusty in charge of a small sum: I will put you in charge of a large sum. Come and share your master's feast.'

Then a host of heaven's army suddenly appeared beside the angel extolling God and saying, "Glory to God in high heaven, and peace on earth for men whom he favours!"

Then they ran quickly from the tomb in fear and great joy, to announce the news to his disciples.

When they caught sight of the star, they were intensely glad;

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in your faith, that you may be overflowing with hope by the power of the holy Spirit!

let your hope be a joy to you; be stedfast in trouble, attend to prayer,

When they caught sight of the star, they were intensely glad;

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in your faith, that you may be overflowing with hope by the power of the holy Spirit!

Then, by God's will, I shall gladly come to you and rest beside you.

our eyes fixed upon Jesus as the pioneer and the perfection of faith ??upon Jesus who, in order to reach his own appointed joy, steadily endured the cross, thinking nothing of its shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

our eyes fixed upon Jesus as the pioneer and the perfection of faith ??upon Jesus who, in order to reach his own appointed joy, steadily endured the cross, thinking nothing of its shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Reign of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, it means righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy Spirit;

You are sharing what Christ suffered; so rejoice in it, that you may also rejoice and exult when his glory is revealed.

but the angel said to them, "Have no fear. This is good news I am bringing you, news of a great joy that is meant for all the People. To-day you have a saviour born in the town of David, the Lord messiah.

You never knew him, but you love him; for the moment you do not see him, but you believe in him, and you will thrill with an unspeakable and glorious joy

You never knew him, but you love him; for the moment you do not see him, but you believe in him, and you will thrill with an unspeakable and glorious joy

and when he gets home he gathers his friends and neighbours: 'Rejoice with me,' he says to them, 'for I have found the sheep I lost.' So, I tell you, there will be joy in heaven over a single sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine good people who do not need to repent.

The news of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they despatched Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God he rejoiced, and encouraged them all to hold by the Lord with heartfelt purpose

So he got up and went off to his father. But when he was still far away his father saw him and felt pity for him and ran to fall upon his neck and kiss him. The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I don't deserve to be called your son any more.' But the father said to his servants, 'Quick, bring the best robe and put it on him, give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet, read more.
and bring the fatted calf, kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for my son here was dead and he has come to life, he was lost and he is found.' So they began to make merry. Now his elder son was out in the field, and as he came near the house he heard music and dancing; so, summoning one of the servants, he asked what this meant. The servant told him, 'Your brother has arrived, and your father has killed the fatted calf because he has got him back safe and sound.' This angered him, and he would not go in. His father came out and tried to appease him, but he replied, 'Look at all the years I have been serving you! I have never neglected any of your orders, and yet you have never given me so much as a kid, to let me make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours arrives, after having wasted your means with harlots, you kill the fatted calf for him!' The father said to him, 'My son, you and I are always together, all I have is yours. We could not but make merry and rejoice, for your brother here was dead and has come to life again, he was lost but he has been found.' "

Now here I go to Jerusalem under the binding force of the Spirit. What will befall me there, I do not know. Only, I know this, that in town after town the holy Spirit testifies to me that bonds and troubles are awaiting me. But then, I set no value on my own life as compared with the joy of finishing my course and fulfilling the commission I received from the Lord Jesus to attest the gospel of the grace of God.

So, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over a single sinner who repents." He also said: "There was a man who had two sons, and the younger said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' So he divided his means among them. read more.
Not many days later, the younger son sold off everything and went abroad to a distant land, where he squandered his means in loose living. After he had spent his all, a severe famine set in throughout that land, and he began to feel in want; so he went and attached himself to a citizen of that land, who sent him to his fields to feed swine. And he was fain to fill his belly with the pods the swine were eating; no one gave him anything. But when he came to his senses he said, 'How many hired men of my father have more than enough to eat, and here am I perishing of hunger! I will be up and off to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I don't deserve to be called your son any more; only make me like one of your hired men."' So he got up and went off to his father. But when he was still far away his father saw him and felt pity for him and ran to fall upon his neck and kiss him. The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I don't deserve to be called your son any more.' But the father said to his servants, 'Quick, bring the best robe and put it on him, give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet, and bring the fatted calf, kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for my son here was dead and he has come to life, he was lost and he is found.' So they began to make merry. Now his elder son was out in the field, and as he came near the house he heard music and dancing; so, summoning one of the servants, he asked what this meant. The servant told him, 'Your brother has arrived, and your father has killed the fatted calf because he has got him back safe and sound.' This angered him, and he would not go in. His father came out and tried to appease him, but he replied, 'Look at all the years I have been serving you! I have never neglected any of your orders, and yet you have never given me so much as a kid, to let me make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours arrives, after having wasted your means with harlots, you kill the fatted calf for him!' The father said to him, 'My son, you and I are always together, all I have is yours. We could not but make merry and rejoice, for your brother here was dead and has come to life again, he was lost but he has been found.' "

But now I come to thee (I speak thus in the world that they may have my joy complete within them).

They [worshipped him and] returned with great joy to Jerusalem,

hitherto you have asked nothing in my name; ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

He took them up to his house and put food before them, overjoyed like all his household at having believed in God.

But then, I set no value on my own life as compared with the joy of finishing my course and fulfilling the commission I received from the Lord Jesus to attest the gospel of the grace of God.

Day after day they resorted with one accord to the temple and broke bread together in their own homes; they ate with a glad and simple heart, praising God and looked on with favour by all the people. Meantime the Lord added the saved daily to their number.

then Symeon took him in his arms, blessed God, and said, "Now, Master, thou canst let thy servant go, and go in peace, as thou didst promise; for mine eyes have seen thy saving power read more.
which thou hast prepared before the face of all the peoples, to be a light of revelation for the Gentiles and a glory to thy people Israel."

And Zechariah his father was filled with the holy Spirit; he prophesied in these words, "Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, for he has cared for his people and wrought them redemption; he has raised up a strong saviour for us in the house of his servant David read more.
as he promised of old by the lips of his prophets to save us from our foes and from the hand of all who hate us, to deal mercifully with our fathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant, of the oath he swore to Abraham our father, that freed from fear and from the hand of our foes we should worship him in holiness and uprightness all our days within his presence. And you, my child, shall be called a prophet of the Most High; for you shall go in front of the Lord to make his ways ready, to bring his people the knowledge of salvation through the remission of their sins by the tender mercy of our God, who will make the Dawn visit us from on high, to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our steps into the way of peace."

Then Mary said "My soul magnifies the Lord, My spirit has joy in God my Saviour: for he has considered the humiliation of his servant. From this time forth all generations will call me blessed, read more.
for He who is Mighty has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy is on generation after generation, for those who reverence him. He has done a deed of might with his arm, he has scattered the proud with their purposes, princes he has dethroned and the poor he has uplifted, he has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has succoured his servant Israel, mindful of his mercy as he promised our fathers, to have mercy on Abraham and his offspring for ever." Mary stayed with her about three months and then returned home.

So, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over a single sinner who repents."

So, I tell you, there will be joy in heaven over a single sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine good people who do not need to repent.

Then a host of heaven's army suddenly appeared beside the angel extolling God and saying, "Glory to God in high heaven, and peace on earth for men whom he favours!"

I have said all this to you that in me you may have peace; in the world you have trouble, but courage! I have conquered the world.

Through him we have got access to this grace where we have our standing, and triumph in the hope of God's glory.

Only, do not rejoice because the spirits obey you: rejoice because your names are enrolled in heaven."

He thrilled with joy at that hour in the holy Spirit, saying, "I praise thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for concealing this from the wise and learned and revealing it to the simple-minded; yes, Father, I praise thee that such was thy chosen purpose." Then turning to the disciples he said,

But now I come to thee (I speak thus in the world that they may have my joy complete within them).

I have told you this, that my joy may be within you and your joy complete.

Truly, truly I tell you, you will be wailing and lamenting while the world is rejoicing; you will be sorrowful, but then your sorrow will be changed into joy.

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy of suffering dishonour for the sake of the Name;

So, I tell you, there will be joy in heaven over a single sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine good people who do not need to repent.

Thou hast made known to me the paths of life, thou wilt fill me with delight in thy presence.

The church sped them on their journey, and they passed through both Phoenicia and Syria informing the brothers, to the great joy of all, that the Gentiles were turning to God.

My spirit has joy in God my Saviour:

The reaper is already getting his wages and harvesting for eternal life, so that the sower shares the reaper's joy.

Lament and mourn and weep, let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to depression;

You never knew him, but you love him; for the moment you do not see him, but you believe in him, and you will thrill with an unspeakable and glorious joy to obtain the outcome of your faith in the salvation of your souls.

In the days of Herod king of Judaea there was a priest called Zechariah, who belonged to the division of Abijah; he had a wife who belonged to the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both just in the sight of God, blameless in their obedience to all the commands and regulations of God; but they had no child, for Elizabeth was barren. Both of them were advanced in years. read more.
Now while he was officiating before God in the due course of his division, it fell to him by lot, as was the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, the mass of the people all remaining in prayer outside at the hour of incense. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was troubled, and fear fell on him; but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard; your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you must call his name John. It will be joy and gladness for you, and many will rejoice over his birth: for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he will drink neither wine nor strong drink, he will be filled with the holy Spirit from his very birth; he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, he will go in front of Him with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make a people ready and prepared for the Lord." Zechariah said to the angel, "But how am I to be sure of this? I am an old man myself, and my wife is advanced in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand before God; I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. But you will be silent and unable to speak till the day this happens, because you have not believed what I told you; it will be accomplished, for all that, in due time." Now the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering that he stayed so long inside the sanctuary. When he did come out he could not speak to them, so they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary; he made signs to them and remained dumb. Then, after his term of service had elapsed, he went home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and for five months she concealed herself. "The Lord has done this for me," she said, "he has now deigned to remove my reproach among men." In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazaret, to a maiden who was betrothed to a man called Joseph, belonging to the house of David. The maiden's name was Mary. The angel went in and said to her, "Hail, O favoured one! the Lord be with you!" At this she was startled; she thought to herself, whatever can this greeting mean? But the angel said to her, "Fear not, Mary, you have found favour with God. You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must call his name Jesus. He will be great, he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father; he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and to his reign there will be no end." "How can this be?" said Mary to the angel, "I have no husband." The angel answered her, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence what is born will be called holy, Son of God. Look, there is your kinswoman Elizabeth! Even she has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month; for with God nothing is ever impossible." Mary said, "I am here to serve the Lord. Let it be as you have said." Then the angel went away. In those days Mary started with haste for the hill-country, for a town of Judah; she entered the house of Zechariah and saluted Elizabeth, and when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leapt in her womb. Then Elizabeth was filled with the holy Spirit; she called out with a loud cry, "Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! What have I done to have the mother of my Lord come to me? Why, as soon as the sound of your salutation reached my ears, the babe leapt for joy within my womb.

The church sped them on their journey, and they passed through both Phoenicia and Syria informing the brothers, to the great joy of all, that the Gentiles were turning to God.

When he finds it he puts it on his shoulders with joy,

So there was great rejoicing in that town.

On hearing this they desisted and glorified God, saying, "So God has actually allowed the Gentiles to repent and live!"

where they spent all their time within the temple, blessing God.

The seventy came back with joy. "Lord," they said, "the very daemons obey us in your name."

Even yet they could not believe it for sheer joy; they were lost in wonder. So he said to them, "Have you any food here?"

but as soon as she recognized Peter's voice, instead of opening the door she ran inside from sheer joy and announced that Peter was standing in front of the porch.

But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing to God, while the prisoners listened,

Amid a severe ordeal of trouble, their overflowing joy and their deep poverty together have poured out a flood of rich generosity;

in all my prayers for you all I always pray with a sense of joy