Funeral reading
Deuteronomy 31:6–8
King James Bible
“Deuteronomy 31:6–8” (King James Bible) is a scripture reading read at a funeral or memorial service. It takes about 55 seconds read aloud, usually by a guest reader. It is in the public domain, so the full text is printed on this page and goes straight into a ceremony script.
The full text
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Public domain, so these words can be printed in a ceremony script or an order of service.
Where it comes from
In Deuteronomy 31 Moses, saying he is a hundred and twenty years old, speaks these words to Israel and to Joshua before handing over the leadership.
What it says
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be afraid, because the Lord your God goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Moses then calls Joshua and says the same to him in front of everyone: you will lead these people where I cannot go. It is a handing-on, from an old leader to the next generation, said by someone who knows he will not cross the river himself.
One generation handing the work to the next. Read at a funeral or memorial service. Themes: courage · handing on · not being forsaken · those left behind · a parent.
Who it suits
Funerals for a parent or grandparent who led a family, business or community, and services where the next generation is taking up their work. It suits military funerals, coaches and teachers. It encourages the people left behind rather than mourning the one who died.
Where it goes in the ceremony
Near the end of the service, as a charge to the family before the committal or closing. A grandchild or successor reads it well.
Reading it aloud
The text on this page is 115 words. At a ceremony pace of about 130 words a minute, which is slower than conversation, that comes to about 55 seconds of reading.
- “Be strong and of a good courage” appears twice. Give it more warmth the second time, as it is said to one person.
- Read it as words of encouragement to the room, not as a history lesson.
- Finish on “fear not, neither be dismayed” and look up.
Questions about reading it aloud
How long does “Deuteronomy 31:6–8” take to read aloud?
“Deuteronomy 31:6–8” takes about 55 seconds read aloud at a ceremony pace, which is slower than conversation — roughly 130 words a minute. That is the figure the run-sheet uses when it works out the timing for the whole service.
Who usually reads “Deuteronomy 31:6–8”?
Usually a guest reader rather than the officiant. “Deuteronomy 31:6–8” runs about 55 seconds, which is a manageable amount to hand to a friend or family member. Give them a printed copy of their own, in a size they can read without their glasses, and tell them where to stand and how you will introduce them.
Can “Deuteronomy 31:6–8” be printed in a ceremony script?
Yes. It is in the public domain, so the full text is on this page and can be printed in a script or an order of service.
Where this text was checked
Checked word for word against a full-text edition that is itself the authority — a Project Gutenberg or Wikisource transcription, a publisher’s own edition, or the issuing body’s page.
Checked
A reading is two minutes of the hour.
The rest is the welcome, the life, the remembrances, the committal — and knowing what comes next. Answer some questions about them and get the whole service, written out, with this reading in its place.
Other readings that suit the same service
- 2 Timothy 4:6–835 secondsAn older man handing on to a younger one
- 1 Corinthians 16:13–1415 secondsBe brave, be strong, do everything in love
- Psalm 91:1–6, 11a minute and a halfProtection for those who serve
- Psalm 27:1, 4, 13–1450 secondsKing James Bible
- Ruth 1:16–17a30 secondsKing James Bible
- 1 John 4:7–12a minute and a halfKing James Bible