The best Bible verses for joy (NLT) include passages about God's love, strength, and guidance. This page features 15+ carefully curated Scripture passages for joy (NLT), each selected for its relevance and depth. Read, save, and share the perfect verse for your situation.
"You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy."1 Peter 1:8
"You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy."1 Peter 1:8
"So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord."1 Thessalonians 1:6
"After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you!"1 Thessalonians 2:19
"How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence."1 Thessalonians 3:9
"But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm."2 Corinthians 1:24
"That is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won’t be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful."2 Corinthians 2:3
"I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles."2 Corinthians 7:4
"His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!"2 Corinthians 7:7
"They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity."2 Corinthians 8:2
"I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again."2 Timothy 1:4
"We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,"Colossians 1:11
"This festival will be a happy time of celebrating with your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows from your towns."Deuteronomy 16:14
"If you do not serve the LORD your God with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits you have received,"Deuteronomy 28:47
"So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this!"Ecclesiastes 9:7
Translations differ in what they optimise for. Some follow the original wording closely at the cost of a natural English sentence; others read smoothly and make interpretive choices to get there. Neither is wrong, but they produce noticeably different verses.
Each of the 15 verses below is shown in the translation you asked for, and every verse links to a page comparing all six side by side — which is usually the fastest way to see where the translators disagreed.
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The most-cited Bible verses for joy (NLT) are 1 Peter 1:8, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 2:19. This page collects 15 of them, each with its full passage, context and the text in six translations.
Read the verse in its surrounding passage before you use it — a verse that fits in isolation sometimes says something different in context. Compare two translations where the wording is unclear, and pick for the person who will read it rather than for the theme.
Scripture returns to joy (NLT) across both testaments rather than settling it in one passage, which is why the verses on this page do not all say the same thing. Read together they give a fuller answer than any single verse does.
There is no single best translation. The NIV and NLT read most naturally and communicate well to someone outside the church; the ESV and NASB stay closer to the original wording; the KJV carries the phrasing most people recognise. Every verse here links to a page showing all six side by side.
More than any page can list. This one carries the 15 that are most often turned to for joy (NLT), chosen so each stands on its own and links through to the full chapter it belongs to.