Thoughtful KJV and WEB passages for a ceremony filled with love, promise, unity, blessing and joy.
Planning a wedding can make every wording choice feel important. You want a reading that sounds true to your relationship, fits the pace of the day, and gives your guests a clear sense of hope. This collection brings together public-domain King James Version (KJV) and World English Bible (WEB) passages so you can compare the language and choose with confidence. Start with a theme, listen for the line that feels like your promise, and then shape it for your program, vows, toast, or prayer. Each section includes a simple way to use the passage without turning your ceremony into a lecture.
These verses give language to patient, generous love—the kind you can carry beyond the wedding day.
1 Corinthians 13:4–8, 13
KJV
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up… Charity never faileth.
WEB
Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud… Love never fails.
Ideal as a reading before vows or as a program feature.
1 John 4:16–19
KJV
God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him… We love him, because he first loved us.
WEB
God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God… We love him because he first loved us.
A warm choice for a prayer or a short homily.
Song of Solomon 8:6–7
KJV
Set me as a seal upon thine heart… for love is strong as death… Many waters cannot quench love.
WEB
Set me as a seal on your heart… for love is strong as death… Many waters can’t quench love.
Beautiful on a printed card or intimate ceremony reading.
Use these words when you want the congregation to speak peace, favor and courage over your shared life.
Numbers 6:24–26
KJV
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee… and give thee peace.
WEB
Yahweh bless you, and keep you. Yahweh make his face shine on you… and give you peace.
Ask the officiant to read this as the final benediction.
1 Corinthians 13:13
KJV
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
WEB
But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.
A concise closing line for a program or toast.
Ephesians 3:16–19
KJV
That he would grant you… to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man… rooted and grounded in love.
WEB
May he grant you… to be strengthened with power through his Spirit… being rooted and grounded in love.
Works well as a communal prayer after the vows.
Choose a unity reading when you want to honor the practical, daily work of becoming one household.
Genesis 2:24
KJV
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
WEB
Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.
A classic reading for a traditional ceremony.
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
KJV
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour… a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
WEB
Two are better than one… If one falls, the other will lift up his companion… a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Pair with a cord, candle, or other unity ritual.
These passages help you name a covenant that is steady in ordinary seasons as well as joyful ones.
Ruth 1:16–17
KJV
Whither thou goest, I will go… thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.
WEB
Where you go, I will go… Your people will be my people, and your God my God.
Adapt the commitment language into a personal vow.
Hebrews 13:4
KJV
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled.
WEB
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled.
A brief reading for a ceremony focused on covenant.
Joy verses lift the room and remind you to receive your wedding as a gift, not just a project.
Psalm 118:24
KJV
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
WEB
This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!
Print it on a welcome sign or read it before the processional.
John 15:11–12
KJV
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you… Love one another, as I have loved you.
WEB
I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you… Love one another, even as I have loved you.
A joyful choice for a toast or reception blessing.
These Bible verses for wedding selections are chosen for spoken readings, while our wedding ceremony bible verses guide helps you match a passage to the processional, vows, rings or benediction.
First Corinthians 13:4–8 is often the most recognized choice because it describes patient, generous love in language guests immediately understand. Couples also choose Genesis 2:24 for unity, Ruth 1:16–17 for loyalty, and Numbers 6:24–26 for a closing blessing. Read the whole passage in context, then select the lines that fit your ceremony’s tone.
Common ceremony readings include Genesis 2:24, Ecclesiastes 4:9–12, 1 Corinthians 13, Colossians 3:14 and Numbers 6:24–26. Your officiant can help you match a passage to the length of the service and your church tradition. A short reading can be just as meaningful when it is introduced with one personal sentence.
Choose a verse that is short, welcoming and easy to read in print. Psalm 118:24, 1 Corinthians 13:13, Colossians 3:14 and 1 John 4:7 work well on invitations or save-the-dates. Include the reference, keep the typography spacious, and place the verse where it supports—not competes with—the event details.
Scripture presents marriage as a covenant marked by faithful love, mutual care and shared purpose. Genesis 2:24 describes becoming one, while Ephesians 5:21 calls believers to submit to one another. Read these passages with your community and tradition in mind; a wedding service should reflect both your convictions and your lived commitment.
“Love one another” in 1 John 4:7 is one of the shortest clear choices. Colossians 3:14, “above all these things, put on love,” is also compact and memorable. Short verses are especially useful for ring engravings, place cards, favors and invitation details where space is limited.