Of Zebulun he said: Rejoice, Zebulun, when you go outside, and Issachar, when you are in your tents.

Make your servant ¹  glad, for to you, O Lord, I pray! ² 

Egypt was happy when they left, for they were afraid of them. ¹ 

A joyful heart ¹  makes the face cheerful, ²  but by a painful heart the spirit is broken.

The one who mocks the poor ¹  insults ²  his Creator; whoever rejoices over disaster will not go unpunished.

A cheerful heart ¹  brings good healing, ²  but a crushed spirit ³  dries up the bones. ⁴ 

So my heart rejoices and I am happy; ¹  My life is safe. ² 

The people were delighted with their donations, for they contributed to the Lord with a willing attitude; ¹  King David was also very happy. ² 

Cursed be the man who made my father very glad when he brought him the news that a baby boy had been born to him! ¹ 

You are to celebrate the festival seven days before the Lord your God in the place he ¹  chooses, for he ²  will bless you in all your productivity and in whatever you do; ³  so you will indeed rejoice!

Then she saw ¹  the king standing by the pillar, according to custom. The officers stood beside the king with their trumpets and all the people of the land were celebrating and blowing trumpets. Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason, treason!” ² 

Then she saw ¹  the king standing by his pillar at the entrance. The officers and trumpeters stood beside the king and all the people of the land were celebrating and blowing trumpets, and the musicians with various instruments were leading the celebration. Athaliah tore her clothes and yelled, “Treason! Treason!” ² 

Now Haman went forth that day pleased and very much encouraged. ¹  But when Haman saw Mordecai at the king’s gate, and he did not rise nor tremble in his presence, ²  Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.

Haman’s ¹  wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a gallows seventy-five feet ²  high built, and in the morning tell the king that Mordecai should be hanged on it. Then go with the king to the banquet contented.” ³  It seemed like a good idea to Haman, so he had the gallows built.

I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; ¹  I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. ²  So all my accomplishments gave me joy; ³  this was my reward for all my effort. ⁴ 

Rejoice, young man, while you are young, ¹  and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the impulses ²  of your heart and the desires ³  of your eyes, but know that God will judge your motives and actions. ⁴