¹⁶ Always be joyful.

⁴ Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

¹² Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

¹² Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

¹⁰ Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

²⁰ But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”