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. HAPPINESS. "Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the Kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. Happy are those who mourn since they will be comforted. Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth. Happy are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, since they will be filled. Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy. Happy are the pure in heart, since they will see God. Happy are the peaceable, since they will be called 'sons of God.' Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, since the Kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake. Rejoice and leap for joy, since your reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you." (Matt 5:3-12). "Happy the man who remains steadfast under trial, for having passed that test he will receive for his prize the gift of life promised to those who love God." (James 1:12 NEB). "These are the words of the Lord: Maintain justice, do the right; for My deliverance is close at hand, and My righteousness will show itself victorious. Happy is the man who follows these precepts, (1) happy the mortal who holds them fast, who keeps the sabbath undefiled, who refrains from all wrong-doing!" (Isaiah 56:1,2 NEB). "But the man who looks closely into the perfect Law, the Law that makes us free, and who lives in its company, does not forget what he hears, but acts upon it; and that is the man who by acting will find happiness." (James 1:25 NEB). "Happy are they whose life is blameless, who conform to the Law of the Lord. Happy are they who obey His instruction, who set their heart on finding Him; who have done no wrong." (Psalms 119:1-3 NEB). "Happy the man whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put away! Happy is a man when the Lord lays no guilt to his account, and in his spirit there is no deceit." (Psalms 32:1,2 NEB). "Happy are those whose lawless deeds have been pardoned and whose sins have been covered; happy is the man whose sin Jehovah will by no means take into account." (Rom 4:7,8). "Happy is the man that does not put himself on Judgement by what he approves." (From Rom 14:22). "Look! Happy is the man whom God reproves; and the discipline of the Almighty do not you reject!" (Job 5:17). "Look! I am coming as a thief. Happy is the one that stays awake and keeps his outer garments, (2) that he may not walk naked and people look upon his shamefulness." (Rev 16:15). "For Jehovah is a God of Judgement. Happy are all those keeping in expectation of Him." (From Isaiah 30:18). The Christ said: "Happy is the man who does not find me a stumbling-block." (3) (Matt 11:6 NEB). "Happy are those who wash their robes, (2) that the authority to go to the trees of life may be theirs and that they may gain entrance into the city by its gates." (Rev 22:14). "And there shall be a causeway there which shall be called the Way of Holiness... By it those He has ransomed shall return and the Lord's redeemed come home; they shall enter Zion with shouts of triumph, crowned with everlasting gladness. Gladness and joy shall be their escort, and suffering and weariness shall flee away." (From Isaiah 35:8-10 NEB). "So the Lord's people shall come back, set free, and enter Zion with shouts of triumph, crowned with everlasting joy; joy and gladness shall overtake them as they come, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." (Isaiah 51:11 NEB). "Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen for His possession." (Psalms 33:12 NEB).
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