Classic wedding readings include "love is patient" (1 Corinthians 13:4-7), "a threefold cord is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:12), and "what therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Mark 10:9; Matthew 19:6). Genesis 2:24 names leaving, cleaving, and becoming one flesh—the pattern Jesus affirmed for marriage.
Choosing Scripture for a wedding ceremony, program, or reception reading? These twelve King James passages are suited to the wedding day itself: love that lasts, the covenant of one flesh, and God's joining of husband and wife. For a deeper look at marriage as a lifelong covenant (not only the ceremony), see our love and marriage page.
Love that lasts
1. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."
The most-requested wedding reading: charity (love) suffers long, is kind, does not envy or boast, and bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things. A portrait of love for vows and life after the aisle.
2. Colossians 3:14
"And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."
Above all virtues, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. Love is the garment that holds the marriage together.
3. 1 John 4:7
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God. A wedding reminder that human love is rooted in God's own nature.
4. Song of Solomon 8:6-7
"Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned."
Set me as a seal upon thine heart; love is strong as death, and many waters cannot quench it. Poetic language for a lasting bond.
One flesh and God's joining
5. Genesis 2:24
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. The foundational wedding text of Scripture.
6. Mark 10:9
"What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."
What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Jesus' words over the union—often spoken in the charge to the couple.
7. Matthew 19:6
"Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."
Matthew's parallel: they are no more twain, but one flesh. God joins; people must not tear apart.
8. Ephesians 5:25
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;"
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. A high call for the groom on the wedding day and every day after.
9. Ephesians 5:33
"Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband."
Let every one love his wife as himself, and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Mutual honour in short form.
Companionship for the journey
10. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
Two are better than one; a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Many couples hear this as husband, wife, and God woven together.
11. Ruth 1:16-17
"And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."
Whither thou goest, I will go... thy people shall be my people. Spoken first as loyalty between women, these lines are often read as covenant devotion at weddings.
12. Proverbs 18:22
"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD."
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord. A joyful word for the groom and for celebrating the gift of marriage.
A short prayer
Father, You created marriage and join husband and wife as one flesh. Bless this couple with love that is patient and kind, with a cord not quickly broken, and with faithfulness that reflects Christ and His church. May their wedding day begin a lifetime of cleaving to one another in You. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Download our free SOAP study page · Get the SOAP Bible Study Journal
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Bible verses for a wedding ceremony?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Genesis 2:24, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Mark 10:9, and Ruth 1:16-17 are among the most-used wedding readings.
Where does the Bible say what God joins together?
Mark 10:9 and Matthew 19:6: "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."
What does "a threefold cord" mean at a wedding?
Ecclesiastes 4:12 says a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Many Christian weddings take it as a picture of husband, wife, and God bound together.
Can Song of Solomon be read at a wedding?
Yes. Song of Solomon 8:6-7 speaks of love as strong as death and unquenchable—beautiful covenant language for the ceremony.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about love and marriage · Bible verses about love · Bible verses about family · Bible verses about unity · Bible verses about love and relationship
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