So I realized then that the best thing we can do is enjoy what we have worked for. There is nothing else we can do. There is no way for us to know what will happen after we die.

Go ahead---eat your food and be happy; drink your wine and be cheerful. It's all right with God.

Enjoy life with the one you love, as long as you live the useless life that God has given you in this world. Enjoy every useless day of it, because that is all you will get for all your trouble.

Just as the LORD took delight in making you prosper and in making you increase in number, so he will take delight in destroying you and in bringing ruin on you. You will be uprooted from the land that you are about to occupy.

Trust in the LORD and do good; live in the land and be safe.

You welcome those who find joy in doing what is right, those who remember how you want them to live. You were angry with us, but we went on sinning; in spite of your great anger we have continued to do wrong since ancient times.

But give what is in your cups and plates to the poor, and everything will be ritually clean for you.

I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way we must help the weak, remembering the words that the Lord Jesus himself said, 'There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.' "

May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice!

Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.

In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.

See that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but at all times make it your aim to do good to one another and to all people.

Be joyful always,

Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share with others.