Principles of Marriage

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

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

5Do not deprive one another, except by mutual agreement for a time, so that you⁺ might be at leisure† for prayer, and may 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. 7Yet I wish† all men to be even like myself. But each has his own gift from God; indeed the one thus, but the one thus.

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

10Now to those having married I command (not I, but the Lord): A wife is not to be separated from a husband. 11But if indeed she might be 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 send her away. 13And if any woman has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to dwell with her, let her not send away the husband. 14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother.† Otherwise, then 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 bound in such cases. But God has called you⁺† in 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† apportioned to each, as God† has called each, thus let him walk. And thus I direct in all the churches. 18Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. 19Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping of the commandments of God.

20Each in the calling in which he has been called—in this let him remain. 21Were you called while a slave? Let it not be a care to you; but if also you have power to become free, rather use it. 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 in that in which he was called, brothers—in this let him remain with God.

The Unmarried and Widowed

25Now concerning the virgins, I do not have a commandment of the Lord, but I give judgment as one having received mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy. 26Therefore I think this is good, because of the present† necessity, that it is good for a man to be thus. 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 time is shortened—so that from now on both those having wives should be as not having; 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 up. For the form of this world is passing away.

32But I want you⁺ to be without concern. The unmarried man is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he should please† the Lord; 33but the one being married is concerned for the things of the world, how he should please the wife, 34and is divided. And the unmarried woman and virgin is concerned for the things of the Lord,† that she may be holy both in body and in spirit; but the one being married is concerned for the things of the world, how she should please the husband.

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

36But if anyone supposes himself to be acting unbecomingly 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 has stood steadfast in his heart, not having necessity but having authority over his own will, and has judged this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin,† he will do well.

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

39A wife has been 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 wants, 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.

Footnotes:

1 BYZ and TR wrote to me
1 Or It is good for a man to abstain from sexual relations.
3 Or fulfill the marital duty; BYZ and TR render the benevolence due
5 BYZ and TR include for fasting and.
7 BYZ and TR include For I wish
14 BYZ and TR husband
15 SBL, BYZ, and TR us
17 BYZ and TR God
17 BYZ and TR the Lord
26 Or impending
32 BYZ and TR will please; also in verses 33 and 34
34 BYZ and TR And there is a difference between the wife and the virgin. The unmarried woman is concerned about the work of the Lord
36 Or of full age
36 Or and they ought to marry
37 Or in his heart not to marry the virgin
38 Or the one giving his own virgin in marriage; BYZ and TR the one marrying her
38 Or not giving her in marriage
39 BYZ and TR include by law.
39 Or she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.