1 Corinthians Chapter 7
1 Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: It is good for a man and woman not to touch.
2 But because of the temptation of fornication, let every man have his own wife and let every woman have her own husband.
3 Let the husband render to the wife due benevolence~. Likewise also let the wife to the husband.
4 The wife does not have authority⁺ over her own body, but the husband. Likewise also the husband does not have authority⁺ over his own body, but the wife.
5 Do not deprive⁺ one another, except it be with consent for a time so that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you for your inability to restrain⁺.
6 But I say this as a permission and not as a commandment.
7 For I would prefer that all mankind⁺ was even as I myself. But everyone⁺ has their proper gift from God: One after this manner, and another after that.
8 Therefore, I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am.
9 However, if they cannot restrain⁺ themselves, then let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 To the married I charge⁺, not I but the Lord: Do not let a wife separate⁺ from her husband.
11 But if she separate⁺, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And do not let a husband put away his wife.
12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, speak: If any brother has a wife who does not believe and she is pleased to live⁺ with him, then let him not put her away.
13 And if a woman has a husband who does not believe and he is pleased to dwell with her, then let her not leave him.
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife. And the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband. Otherwise⁺, your children would be considered unclean, but now they are holy.
15 But if the unbelieving depart~, let them go⁺. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.
16 For how do you know, O wife, if you might save your husband? Or how do you know, O man, if you might save your wife?
17 But as God has distributed to everyone⁺ and as the Lord has called everyone, so let them walk. And so I also ordain in all the assemblies⁺.
18 Was anyone called after being circumcised? Then let them not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called while yet in uncircumcision? Then let them not be circumcised.
19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keep the commandments of God.
20 Let everyone⁺ abide~ in the same calling in which they were called.
21 Were you called while a servant? Do not be concerned⁺ about it. But if you may be made free, then use that instead⁺.
22 For those who are called in the Lord, while being servants, are the Lord's free⁺ people. And likewise those who are called, being free, are Christ's servants.
23 You are bought with a price. Do not become the servants of men.
24 Family⁺, let each one⁺ abide~ with God in that state in which they were called.
25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment from the Lord. Yet I will give my judgment~ as one who has received⁺ mercy from the Lord to be faithful.
26 I suppose therefore that this assessment is good for the present conditions⁺, that it is good for a man to remain as he is.
27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
28 But if you have married, you have not sinned and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But such will have trouble in the flesh and I would spare you of that.
29 But this I say, family⁺: The time is short~. It remains, that those who have wives should be as though they had none
30 and those who weep as though they did not weep and those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice and those who buy as though they did not possess~ things
31 and those who use this world as not misusing⁺ it. For the fashion of this world passes away.
32 But I would have you to be free from anxious cares⁺. Those who are unmarried care about the things of the Lord and how to please the Lord. Matthew 6:25
33 But those who are married care about the things of the world such as how to please a wife.
34 And there is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried care about the things of the Lord, to be holy in both body and in spirit. But the married care about the things of the world, such as how to please a husband.
35 I say this for your own benefit⁺. Not so that I might cast a snare upon you, but for what is desirable⁺ and so that you may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
36 But if anyone thinks that they might behave improperly⁺ with regard to preserving virginity, and if they are beyond the appropriate age, and so it ought to be, then let them do what they will for they do not sin if they marry.
37 Nevertheless, one does well who stands steadfast in their heart, having no necessity, but having authority⁺ over their own will and having decreed in their heart to preserve⁺ virginity.
38 So then, one who enters⁺ into marriage does well. But one who does not enter⁺ into marriage does better.
39 A wife is bound by the law as long as her husband lives. But if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whomever she will, yet only in the Lord.
40 But in my judgment, she will be happier if she remains⁺ unmarried, and I think that I have the Spirit of God.