Principles of Marriage

1Now concerning the things about which you wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2But because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have the own husband.

3Let the husband fulfill the duty to the wife, and likewise also the wife to the husband. 4The wife does not have authority over the own body, but the husband; and likewise also, the husband does not have authority over the own body, but the wife.

5Do not deprive one another, except by mutual agreement, for a time, that you might be at leisure for prayer; and be together the same again, so that Satan may not tempt you through your lack of self-control. 6Now I say this by way of concession, not by way of command. 7And I wish all men to be even like myself. But each has his own gift from God; for one has this, but one that.

8Now I say to the unmarried and to the widows, it is good for them if they should remain as even I. 9But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

10Now to those having married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): A wife is not to be separated from a husband. 11But if indeed she is separated, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to the husband; and a husband is not to send away a wife.

12Now to the rest I say (I, not the Lord): If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she consents to dwell with him, let him not divorce her. 13And if any woman has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to dwell with her, let her not divorce the husband. 14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise, your children are unclean; but now they are holy.

15But if the unbeliever separates himself, let him separate himself. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called youa into peace. 16For how do you know, wife, if you will save the husband? Or how do you know, husband, if you will save the wife?

Live Your Calling

17Nevertheless, as the Lord has assigned to each, as God has called to each, so let him walk. And thus I prescribe in all the churches. 18Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not be uncircumcised. Was anyone called in uncircumcision? Let Him not be circumcised. 19Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God.

20Each in the calling in which he has been called, in this let him abide. 21Were you called while a slave, let it not be a care to you; but if also you are able to become free, rather take advantage. 22For the one having been called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman; likewise the one having been called while free is a slave of Christ.

23You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24Each, wherein that he was called, brothers, in that let him abide with God.

The Unmarried and Widowed

25Now concerning virgins, I do not have a commandment of the Lord, but I give judgment as having received mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy. 26Therefore I think this is good, because of the presentb necessity, that it is good for a man to remain in the same manner. 27Have you been bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Have you been loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28But if also you shall have married, you did not sin; and if the virgin shall have married, she did not sin. But such will have tribulation in the flesh, and I am sparing you.

29Now I say this, brothers: The season is shortened; that from now on both those having wives, should be as having none; 30and those weeping, as not weeping; and those rejoicing, as not rejoicing; and those buying, as not possessing; 31and those using the world, as not using it as their own. For the present form of this world is passing away.

32And I desire you to be without concern. The unmarried man cares for the things of the Lord, how he should please the Lord; 33but the one having been married cares for the things of the world, how he should please the wife, 34and is divided. And the unmarried woman and virgin cares for the things of the Lord, that she should be holy both in body and in spirit; but the one having been married cares for the things of the world, how she should please the husband.

35Now I say this for your own benefit, not that I might place upon you a restraint, but for what is seemly and devoted to the Lord, without distraction.

36But if anyone supposes to be behaving improperly to his virgin, if she is beyond youth, and it ought to be so, let him do what he wills; he does not sin; let them marry. 37But he who stands firm in his heart, not having necessity, but having authority over the own will, and has judged this in the own heart, to keep his virgin, he will do well.

38So then also, the one marrying the own virgin does well, and the one not marrying will do better.

39A wife is bound for as long a time as her husband may live; but if the husband shall have died, she is free to be married to whom she wills, only in the Lord. 40But she is more blessed if she should remain in the same manner, according to my judgment; and I think myself also to have the Spirit of God.