Bible readings for end of life
September 10, 2017 11:19 AM Subscribe
My non-religious partner would like to read for a while to a relative who is passing quietly away at a great old age. As the relative has always read the Bible my partner thought that would be a nice thing to read aloud as we sit company. Can you please suggest some passages that might be suitable? These might be ones that have a comforting message for us or be about "the end of the day" or something, or indeed just interesting parables to read aloud. Ideally not too heavy-handily about death or judgement day or going to live with god etc. My partner is thinking New Testament, but we are open to whatever.
Yeah, I was going to say psalms too. Psalm 23 is a cliché, but it's a cliché for a good reason — a lot of Christians have used it for comfort in a lot of different situations, and it's free from anger or judgment.
posted by nebulawindphone at 11:29 AM on September 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by nebulawindphone at 11:29 AM on September 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 is another classic choice.
posted by Perodicticus potto at 11:44 AM on September 10, 2017
posted by Perodicticus potto at 11:44 AM on September 10, 2017
Try the Acts of the Apostles for many small stories of preaching and miracles. I particularly enjoy Acts 3 where Peter heals the cripple with the oft-quoted line about "silver and gold have I none, but what I have I give to you..."
OK, it is explicitly about death and the afterlife, which you said you did not particularly want, but there may come a point where you or your relative are looking for that kind of comfort. I like Job chapter 19, particularly verses 25-27. I will quote KJV, but use whatever translation your relative has been reading:
"25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me."
posted by seasparrow at 11:56 AM on September 10, 2017
OK, it is explicitly about death and the afterlife, which you said you did not particularly want, but there may come a point where you or your relative are looking for that kind of comfort. I like Job chapter 19, particularly verses 25-27. I will quote KJV, but use whatever translation your relative has been reading:
"25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me."
posted by seasparrow at 11:56 AM on September 10, 2017
Best answer: You mention the relative always read the bible. If it is at all possible use their own Bible to read from. The differnt versions and translations used by denominations vary widely and also a bible someone read daily often contains marks or notes which might tell you their preferred passages.
If you cannot use their own, at least use the one their denomination appoved, especially an elderly person may have a preference for the “right“ version.
posted by 15L06 at 11:57 AM on September 10, 2017 [14 favorites]
If you cannot use their own, at least use the one their denomination appoved, especially an elderly person may have a preference for the “right“ version.
posted by 15L06 at 11:57 AM on September 10, 2017 [14 favorites]
Catholic & other bibles have slightly different numbering systems for the psalms, but 91 is how I know this one and it is all about being safe
He who dwells in the shelter of the most high
And abides in the shade of the almighty
Says to the Lord "my refuge,
My stronghold, my god in whom I trust. "
There are 9 stanzas. It's great for slow reading aloud. Very comforting.
Then you want Luke 2:29-32
I wish I could sing it for you because there are some amazing arrangements in some monasteries where it is traditionally a part of every night prayer
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
Your word has been fulfilled
My own eyes have seen the salvation
Which you have prepared in the sight of every people
A light to reveal you to the nations
And the glory of your people Israel
Luke 1:68-79 the Benedictus begins
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel
He has come to his people and set them free
It goes on to recite comforting promises and ends
In the tender compassion of our God
The dawn from on high shall break upon us
The canticle of Mary (the Magnificat) Luke 1:46-55 begins
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
My spirit rejoices in God my savior
For he has looked with favor on his lowly servant
Also filled with promises kept, very joyful and comforting
posted by janey47 at 1:01 PM on September 10, 2017 [4 favorites]
He who dwells in the shelter of the most high
And abides in the shade of the almighty
Says to the Lord "my refuge,
My stronghold, my god in whom I trust. "
There are 9 stanzas. It's great for slow reading aloud. Very comforting.
Then you want Luke 2:29-32
I wish I could sing it for you because there are some amazing arrangements in some monasteries where it is traditionally a part of every night prayer
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
Your word has been fulfilled
My own eyes have seen the salvation
Which you have prepared in the sight of every people
A light to reveal you to the nations
And the glory of your people Israel
Luke 1:68-79 the Benedictus begins
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel
He has come to his people and set them free
It goes on to recite comforting promises and ends
In the tender compassion of our God
The dawn from on high shall break upon us
The canticle of Mary (the Magnificat) Luke 1:46-55 begins
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
My spirit rejoices in God my savior
For he has looked with favor on his lowly servant
Also filled with promises kept, very joyful and comforting
posted by janey47 at 1:01 PM on September 10, 2017 [4 favorites]
I think it depends on what the relative would most like. The suggestions above are good, especially the psalms, if the relative would like to have reminders of God's love for us read to them. But if I were the one being read to, I'd like to hear the book of Mark. It's the shortest of the Gospels and the most "realistic" in that it gives the best sense of Jesus in the world with us.
posted by OrangeDisk at 3:51 PM on September 10, 2017
posted by OrangeDisk at 3:51 PM on September 10, 2017
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)
Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters,
of the good news that I proclaimed to you,
which you in turn received, in which also you stand,
through which also you are being saved.
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead,
how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead?
For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised.
If Christ has not been raised,
your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
Then those also who have died in Christ have perished.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead,
the first fruits of those who have died.
But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised?
With what kind of body do they come?"
Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.
And as for what you sow, you do not sow the body that is to be,
but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.
But God gives it a body as he has chosen.
What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable.
It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory.
It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.
It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body.
If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.
When this perishable body puts on imperishability,
and this mortal body puts on immortality,
then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:
"Death has been swallowed up in victory."
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"
But thanks be to God,
who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Selected verses from 1 Corinthians 15)
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
he who raised Christ from the dead
will give life to your mortal bodies also
through his Spirit that dwells in you.
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God,
and if children, then heirs,
heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—
if, in fact, we suffer with him
so that we may also be glorified with him.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time
are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
What then are we to say about these things?
If God is for us, who is against us?
He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us,
will he not with him also give us everything else?
Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
Will hardship, or distress, or persecution,
or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8, Selected Verses)
[Jesus said,] "Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house there are many dwelling places.
If it were not so,
would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and will take you to myself,
so that where I am, there you may be also.
And you know the way to the place where I am going.
I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me,
but you will see me;
because I live, you also will live.
I have said these things to you while I am still with you.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything,
and remind you of all that I have said to you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."
(John 14:1–4, 18–19, 25–27)
(Sorry for the length. Also, these are suggested scriptures used in the United Methodist Service of Death and Resurrection)
posted by 4ster at 5:06 PM on September 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters,
of the good news that I proclaimed to you,
which you in turn received, in which also you stand,
through which also you are being saved.
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead,
how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead?
For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised.
If Christ has not been raised,
your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
Then those also who have died in Christ have perished.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead,
the first fruits of those who have died.
But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised?
With what kind of body do they come?"
Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.
And as for what you sow, you do not sow the body that is to be,
but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.
But God gives it a body as he has chosen.
What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable.
It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory.
It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.
It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body.
If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.
When this perishable body puts on imperishability,
and this mortal body puts on immortality,
then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:
"Death has been swallowed up in victory."
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"
But thanks be to God,
who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Selected verses from 1 Corinthians 15)
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
he who raised Christ from the dead
will give life to your mortal bodies also
through his Spirit that dwells in you.
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God,
and if children, then heirs,
heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—
if, in fact, we suffer with him
so that we may also be glorified with him.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time
are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
What then are we to say about these things?
If God is for us, who is against us?
He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us,
will he not with him also give us everything else?
Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
Will hardship, or distress, or persecution,
or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8, Selected Verses)
[Jesus said,] "Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house there are many dwelling places.
If it were not so,
would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and will take you to myself,
so that where I am, there you may be also.
And you know the way to the place where I am going.
I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me,
but you will see me;
because I live, you also will live.
I have said these things to you while I am still with you.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything,
and remind you of all that I have said to you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."
(John 14:1–4, 18–19, 25–27)
(Sorry for the length. Also, these are suggested scriptures used in the United Methodist Service of Death and Resurrection)
posted by 4ster at 5:06 PM on September 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
And I just reread your question and realized what I gave you is not what you're looking for. I'm so sorry. Mods, feel free to delete.
posted by 4ster at 6:02 PM on September 10, 2017
posted by 4ster at 6:02 PM on September 10, 2017
Titus 3:3-7 (rebirth and salvation)
1 Peter 1:3-9 (salvation; our hope in Jesus)
1 John 4:7-19 (God's love and ours)
2 Timothy 4:6-8 (just a beautiful passage on reaching the end of one's life, as a Christian)
All of Hebrews 11 (on faith)
All of Isaiah 53 (the foretelling of Christ and the salvation He brings)
posted by pecanpies at 6:59 PM on September 10, 2017
1 Peter 1:3-9 (salvation; our hope in Jesus)
1 John 4:7-19 (God's love and ours)
2 Timothy 4:6-8 (just a beautiful passage on reaching the end of one's life, as a Christian)
All of Hebrews 11 (on faith)
All of Isaiah 53 (the foretelling of Christ and the salvation He brings)
posted by pecanpies at 6:59 PM on September 10, 2017
You may find 2 Corinthians 4 too heavy handed, but it's a wonderful passage on renewal and resurrection in the face of our physical suffering and death.
posted by pecanpies at 7:06 PM on September 10, 2017
posted by pecanpies at 7:06 PM on September 10, 2017
Response by poster: Many thanks to everyone who took time to respond, there are some beautiful passages here that are sure to come in useful in the future. The relative passed away quietly during the night. We especially appreciated the reminder to use their own bible as that made us realize it would possibly fall open to some favored passages from years of use. Thanks once again.
posted by Iteki at 4:45 AM on September 11, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Iteki at 4:45 AM on September 11, 2017 [5 favorites]
My condolences, and I'm glad the end was tranquil.
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
posted by tully_monster at 11:31 PM on September 11, 2017 [2 favorites]
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
posted by tully_monster at 11:31 PM on September 11, 2017 [2 favorites]
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When praying for an individual who is ill, it is customary to recite the following thirty-six chapters of Psalms: 20, 6, 9, 13, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 37, 38, 39, 41, 49, 55, 56, 69, 86, 88, 89, 90, 91, 102, 103, 104, 107, 116, 118, 142, 143, and 148.
posted by metahawk at 11:25 AM on September 10, 2017 [1 favorite]