[1] Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me. It is good for a
man not to touch a woman. [2] But, because of sexual sins, let each man
have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. [3] Let the
husband render to the wife her due, and likewise also the wife to the
husband. [4] The wife doesn`t have authority over her own body, but the
husband. Likewise also the husband doesn`t have power over his own body,
but the wife. [5] Don`t defraud one another, unless it is by consent for a
season, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and may be
together again, that Satan doesn`t tempt you because of your lack of
self-control. [6] But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.
[7] Yet I wish that all men were like me. However each man has his own gift
from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind. [8] But I say to the
unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am.
[9] But if they don`t have self-control, let them marry. For it`s better to
marry than to burn. [10] But to the married I command -- not I, but the
Lord -- that the wife not leave her husband [11] (but if she departs, let
her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the
husband not leave his wife. [12] But to the rest I -- not the Lord -- say,
if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with
him, let him not leave her. [13] The woman who has an unbelieving husband,
and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband. [14] For
the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife
is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but
now are they holy. [15] Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be
separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases,
but God has called us in peace. [16] For how do you know, wife, whether you
will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save
your wife? [17] Only, as the Lord has distributed to each man, as God has
called each, so let him walk. So I command in all the assemblies. [18] Was
anyone called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has any
been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. [19]
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of
the commandments of God. [20] Let each man stay in that calling in which he
was called. [21] Were you called being a bondservant? Don`t let that bother
you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it. [22] For he who
was called in the Lord being a bondservant is the Lord`s free man. Likewise
he who was called being free is Christ`s bondservant. [23] You were bought
with a price. Don`t become bondservants of men. [24] Brothers, let each
man, in whatever condition he was called, stay in that condition with God.
[25] Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I
give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be
trustworthy. [26] I think that it is good therefore, because of the
distress that is on us, that it is good for a man to be as he is. [27] Are
you bound to a wife? Don`t seek to be freed. Are you free from a wife?
Don`t seek a wife. [28] But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin
marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh,
and I want to spare you. [29] But I say this, brothers: the time is short,
that from now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none;
[30] and those who weep, as though they didn`t weep; and those who rejoice,
as though they didn`t rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn`t
possess; [31] and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest.
For the mode of this world passes away. [32] But I desire to have you to be
free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the
Lord, how he may please the Lord; [33] but he who is married is concerned
about the things of the world, how he may please his wife. [34] There is
also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares
about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in
spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world -- how
she may please her husband. [35] This I say for your own profit; not that I
may throw a snare on you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you
may attend to the Lord without distraction. [36] But if any man thinks that
he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower
of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn`t
sin. Let them marry. [37] But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having
no necessity, but has power over his own heart, to keep his own virgin,
will do well. [38] So then both he who gives his own virgin in marriage
does well, and he who doesn`t give her in marriage will do better. [39] A
wife is bound by law for so long time as her husband lives; but if the
husband is dead, she is free to be married to whoever she desires, only in
the Lord. [40] But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment,
and I think that I also have God`s Spirit.