Introduction
The party is over, the gifts are put away, and life as a couple truly begins. The first months of marriage bring joy, but also adjustments: different habits, budget, in-laws, tiredness. The Bible has a lot to say to those who are just starting out. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, follow five steps: enjoying the first months, loving each day, talking and forgiving, building together, and then entrusting your home to God. Read one each evening, together.
Enjoying the First Months Together
1. Deuteronomy 24:5
"When a man takes a new wife, he shall not go out in the army, neither shall he be assigned any business. He shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer his wife whom he has taken."
The law of Moses frees the newly married man from war and other duties for a year, so that he can cheer his wife. God values this time of building the couple. Protect your first months: fewer packed schedules, more simple moments together. Read all of Deuteronomy 24.
2. Proverbs 5:18
"Let your spring be blessed. Rejoice in the wife of your youth."
This proverb invites the husband to let his spring be blessed and to rejoice in the wife of his youth. The Bible does not hide the emotional side of marriage. It encourages it, within a faithfulness that lasts a lifetime. Cultivate tenderness from the start. Read all of Proverbs 5.
3. Song of Songs 2:16
"My beloved is mine, and I am his. He browses among the lilies."
The beloved says that her love is hers and she is his. The sentence is short and speaks of mutual belonging. A young couple can find words of tenderness here and say them to each other without embarrassment, not only on the wedding day. Read all of Song of Songs 2.
4. 1 Peter 4:8
"And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins."
Peter invites us above all to keep fervent love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. In a young couple, irritations appear quickly. Choosing love before criticism lets you pass over clumsy moments without dwelling on them. Read all of 1 Peter 4.
Loving Each Day
5. 1 Corinthians 13:7-8
"bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with."
Paul continues his portrait of love: it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, and never fails. These words do not describe a passing feeling but a lasting commitment. In daily life, loving also means choosing to bear with and to believe the best. Read all of 1 Corinthians 13.
6. Colossians 3:12
"Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;"
Paul asks us to put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. It is a garment to put on each morning, even before meeting your spouse. Life as a couple needs these qualities as much as the church does, especially in the little frictions of everyday life. Read all of Colossians 3.
7. Romans 12:10
"In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor preferring one another;"
Paul invites us to be tenderly affectionate to one another and to give preference to one another in honor. Small attentions, a kind word, a coffee made, a sincere thank you, build the marriage day after day. Take the initiative without waiting for the other to begin. Read all of Romans 12.
8. Ephesians 4:2-3
"with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Paul recommends humility, gentleness, patience and bearing with one another in love, being eager to keep the unity through the bond of peace. This passage speaks of the church, but it applies perfectly to a couple: unity is cultivated, it is not decreed. Read all of Ephesians 4.
Talking, Listening, Forgiving
9. Ephesians 4:26-27
"Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, and don’t give place to the devil."
Paul allows anger, but refuses to let it become sin or last until evening. For a couple, this is concrete advice: do not let the sun go down on a quarrel. A word of apology or peace before sleeping spares a lot of resentment. Read all of Ephesians 4.
10. Ephesians 4:32
"And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you."
Paul asks us to be kind and tender hearted to one another, forgiving each other just as God also in Christ forgave us. The forgiveness we have received becomes the model for the forgiveness we offer. In a marriage it is practiced often, for trifles as well as for serious things. Read all of Ephesians 4.
11. Proverbs 16:24
"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul. Complimenting, thanking and encouraging your spouse nourishes the couple. Make it a habit to say one positive thing a day, even after a busy day when you have almost no energy left. Read all of Proverbs 16.
12. James 1:19
"So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;"
James advises us to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. Many arguments in a couple come from answers that come too fast. Listening to the end, rephrasing what the other says, then answering calmly often changes the outcome of the conversation. Read all of James 1.
Building Together
13. Proverbs 24:3-4
"Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure."
This proverb affirms that a house is built by wisdom, established by understanding, and that by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious things. A home is built step by step. Decide with your spouse on common priorities: budget, plans, pace of life, time for God. Read all of Proverbs 24.
14. Matthew 19:5-6
"and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?’ So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart."
Jesus recalls God's design: a man will leave his father and mother, be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. He adds that what God has joined together, no one should separate. Your union is precious and deserves to be protected. Read all of Matthew 19.
15. Philippians 2:2
"make my joy full by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;"
Paul wishes that his readers would be of the same mind, having the same love, joined together in spirit. A couple's unity does not mean thinking the same about everything, but aiming at the same goal. Talk with your spouse about what you want to build, then adjust along the way. Read all of Philippians 2.
16. Proverbs 14:1
"Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands."
Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands. This proverb applies to both spouses: our words, our choices and our attitudes build or destroy the home. Ask yourself each day how you can build it. Read all of Proverbs 14.
Entrusting Your Home to God
17. Psalm 128:1-2
"Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh, who walks in his ways. For you will eat the labor of your hands. You will be happy, and it will be well with you."
Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord and walks in his ways: he will eat the labor of his hands. This psalm presents the happiness of a family that lives with God. It does not promise wealth, but a quiet joy that comes from walking with him. Read all of Psalm 128.
18. Psalm 37:3-4
"Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture. Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
David invites us to trust in the Lord, to do good and to delight in him. Then God will give the desires of the heart. A couple that puts God at the center sees its desires transformed, and seeks first to please him. Read all of Psalm 37.
19. Philippians 1:6
"being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Paul is persuaded that God will complete the good work begun in the Philippians. Your marriage is not perfect at the start and does not have to be. God continues his work in each of you and in the couple, with patience and faithfulness. Read all of Philippians 1.
20. Psalm 90:14
"Satisfy us in the morning with your loving kindness, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days."
Moses asks God to satisfy his people in the morning with his loving kindness, so that they may rejoice and be glad all their days. Praying together in the morning, even briefly, anchors the couple in this kindness. A simple thank you said together already does a lot. Read all of Psalm 90.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Which verse is good for newlyweds?
Deuteronomy 24:5 is ideal for a young couple, because it speaks of the first year spent rejoicing together. Colossians 3:12-13 on patience and forgiveness, or Psalm 128:1-2 on the blessed home, also work very well on a card.
How can we pray as newlyweds?
Take five minutes each evening with your spouse to thank God, entrust the day's worries to him and bless each other. Praying aloud together brings you closer. If it is new, begin with one simple sentence, then let confidence grow.
How can we make the first years of marriage succeed?
Rely on dialogue, quick forgiveness, time for the two of you and church life. Accept that the adjustment takes time and ask an older couple for help. Marriage is built every day with God's help.