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Ceremony Readings · 34 readings

Religious Wedding Readings

Scripture and prayer for church and synagogue weddings: the Old and New Testament passages most often read, in the King James Version, and prayers from the Book of Common Prayer.

1 Corinthians 13:1–13

King James Version · 2 min 05 sThe whole of Paul’s hymn to love, from “tongues of men and of angels” to “the greatest of these.”

1 Corinthians 13:4–8a

King James Version · 25 s“Charity suffereth long, and is kind” — Paul’s hymn to love, the most-read scripture at weddings.

1 John 4:16–19

King James Version · 40 s“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.”

1 John 4:7–12

King James Version · 55 s“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God.”

A Family Prayer

Robert Louis Stevenson · 30 sRobert Louis Stevenson gives thanks for the love that unites a family.

A Marriage Prayer and Blessing (Book of Common Prayer)

Book of Common Prayer (1662) · 1 min 10 sA prayer for faithful love and the service’s closing blessing, from the 1662 Prayer Book.

Colossians 3:12–14

King James Version · 25 sPut on kindness, meekness and patience — and above all, love, the bond of perfectness.

Colossians 3:15–17

King James Version · 40 s“Let the peace of God rule in your hearts … and be ye thankful.”

Dearly Beloved (Book of Common Prayer)

Book of Common Prayer (1662) · 1 min 15 s“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here” — the opening of the 1662 marriage service.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12

King James Version · 35 s“Two are better than one … a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Ephesians 4:1–6

King James Version · 40 s“Forbearing one another in love” — a call to humility, patience and unity.

Ephesians 5:21–33

1 min 50 sPaul on marriage as a mirror of Christ and the church.

Genesis 1:26–31

King James Version · 1 min 40 sGod creates humanity, male and female, in his image — and sees that it is very good.

Genesis 2:18–24

King James Version · 1 min 30 s“It is not good that the man should be alone” — the second creation story.

Hosea 2:19–20

King James Version · 20 s“I will betroth thee unto me for ever” — God’s marriage vow to Israel.

Isaiah 54:10

King James Version · 15 s“The mountains shall depart … but my kindness shall not depart from thee.”

Jeremiah 31:31–34

1 min 20 sA new covenant, written on the heart.

John 15:9–12

King James Version · 35 s“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”

Make Us Instruments of Your Peace

Anonymous (c. 1912), traditionally attributed to St. Francis of Assisi · 50 s“Where there is hatred, let us sow love” — the Peace Prayer.

Mark 10:6–9

25 s“What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”

Matthew 19:4–6

King James Version · 30 s“What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”

May the Road Rise to Meet You

1 min 05 sThe Irish blessing — road, wind, sun and rain — with verses for the couple.

Perfect Love

Author unknown · 2 min 40 sA devotional reflection on finding contentment in God before in each other.

Philippians 2:1–4

King James Version · 35 s“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Proverbs 31:10–12, 25–31

King James Version · 1 min 10 s“Her price is far above rubies” — the Bible’s portrait of a capable, respected wife.

Psalm 121

King James Version · 50 s“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills” — a traveler’s psalm of protection.

Psalm 128:1–4

30 sA blessing on the household: a fruitful vine, and olive plants around the table.

Psalm 67

King James Version · 50 s“God be merciful unto us, and bless us” — a harvest psalm of blessing.

Romans 12:9–18

King James Version · 1 min 05 s“Let love be without dissimulation” — Paul’s practical rules for loving well.

Ruth 1:16–17

King James Version · 30 s“Whither thou goest, I will go” — the Bible’s great vow of loyalty, in two verses.

Song of Solomon 2:10–13

King James Version · 40 s“For, lo, the winter is past” — the Song of Solomon’s invitation to rise up and come away.

The Seven Blessings (Sheva Brachot)

The EditorsThe seven blessings sung beneath the chuppah are among the oldest wedding words still in use. What each one says, who recites them, and how couples make them their own.

The Song of Songs

King James Version · 1 min 10 s“Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away” — and love as strong as death.

Tobit 8:4–8

King James Version · 1 min 00 s“Mercifully ordain that we may become aged together” — Tobias and Sarah’s wedding-night prayer.

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