Any vicars about? Any tips on reading 1 Corinthians 13

[Theos]

I’m doing it at a funeral. Anyone got any tips on what to do or not do

very used to public speaking. Not phased by that.

I'm not a vicar, but I do know the text. What sort of help are you looking for?

Not a vicar but have read in church for over forty years, including over a decade in a cathedral. Read it through at home several times. Get the sense of it and the rhythm. Read it aloud as if you understand it and with some expression (not too much).

Remember to read it rather more slowly than usual as big buildings can have echoes which make it less easy to hear, even with modern sound systems. But don't put pauses in weird places (as newsreaders do these days). And breathe - it's very easy to run out of air in the middle of a sentence.

If you can, glance up occasionally at your listeners, at a full stop or natural pause. Keep your finger in the margin opposite where you are reading so you don't lose your place.

It's a privilege reading at funerals - don't rush through it and enjoy it.

You can look on YouTube, see how others have read it.

thanks.
as I said, I have no issue about public speaking and do it most days. It’s not about that, not about pausing and looking up , it’s the actual text of this reading.

I’m wondering if people emphasise the wrong bits. Merge sections wrongly

could it be worth finding some youtube recordings of it, try to find one you like as it may help you see how others present it?

I'm not sure off the top of my head if there are particular pitfalls in that passage. But one thing to bear in mind if you're not accustomed to reading the Bible aloud is that the chapters and verses are a later addition and not how it was originally written. It is literally a letter to a church.

Also some Bibles have little titles or headings breaking up the text. Again these are later additions and not part of the text itself. Many Bible state in the introductory notes that these aren't to be included in public reading. (This is a particular bug bear of mine as loads of people at church read the headings and I hate it!).

You might already know these, but it sort of fits with your question I think.

I sometimes look at multiple translations on Bible Gateway to get a more complete sense of the text.

Thanks. Yes - imagine reading the sub headings. It’s ok I’m a vicars daughter. But he’s dead so that’s annoying!

My dh read this at my brother's funeral. Dh does a lot of preaching and public readings and even he choked up a bit. Practice beforehand, nice and slow. Worth going over this one a few times as there's a rhythm to it which makes it easier, and repetition too.

Which version are you using? The NIV or TNIV are easy to read.

Sorry for your loss xx

Just read it as per the punctuation, it's not a difficult passage so nothing there to trip you up. I'm sure you'll do it well if you're used to public speaking.

NIV

Copy the text from an online version before formatting and printing it to assist your chosen emphasis.
Even things like the typesetting in the version on the lectern can prove difficult when emotions are high.
As others have said, watch some youtube versions, I'm sure there will be elements from several that you will like to incorporate.

Depending on how close you are to the person, reading might be more difficult than you expect. I read at my Dad's funeral, not Corinthians, but I did all of the things that others have suggested, I knew the text (I'd chosen the text) but when I was reading it, parts of it felt more relevant and emotional for me than I had anticipated, and so more difficult to read.
Also make sure that you're reading the translation you know and have rehearsed. I always print what I'm going to read so I'm not surprised by a different version.
In terms of approaching the text, I'm not a vicar but it always strikes me that when we are talking about love, we're also talking about God. These are things about God, God is patient, God is kind. As we love, we seek to model God and it's imperfect because we are and only perfect when we truly meet God. 13:12 2 "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" is the bit where I would pause, you're celebrating/burying a person who now fully knows God, and is fully known by God. So maybe bear that it mind.
Hope it goes well

I read it a funeral and reading that has made me well up. That’s why he chose it.

Thanks all! 😍

As a vicar, this is one of my favourite readings at a funeral.
If you are reading the whole passage (lots of people miss out verses 8-12) then I would suggest making a clear break at the end of verse 7 and the description of all the things that love is.
And then after a pause start verse 8 - love never fails, but where there are prophecies...

Because often it is read with the love never fails as part of the list of love's qualities,
ie: It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

but it is actually saying that love won't fail but other things will - prophecies will, speaking in tongues will, knowledge will etc.

I hope that makes sense.