1 Corinthians 7
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Christian Standard BibleInternational Standard Version
1Now in response to the matters you wrote about: "It is good for a man not to use a woman for sex."1Now about what you asked: "Is it advisable for a man not to marry?"
2But because sexual immorality is so common, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman should have sexual relations with her own husband.2Because sexual immorality is so rampant, every man should have his own wife, and every woman should have her own husband.
3A husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise a wife to her husband.3A husband should fulfill his obligation to his wife, and a wife should do the same for her husband.
4A wife does not have the right over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband does not have the right over his own body, but his wife does.4A wife does not have authority over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband doesn't have authority over his own body, but his wife does.
5Do not deprive one another--except when you agree for a time, to devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again; otherwise, Satan may tempt you because of your lack of self-control.5Do not withhold yourselves from each other unless you agree to do so just for a set time, in order to devote yourselves to prayer. Then you should come together again so that Satan does not tempt you through your lack of self-control.
6I say this as a concession, not as a command.6But I say this as a concession, not as a command.
7I wish that all people were as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one person has this gift, another has that.7I would like everyone to be unmarried, like I am. However, each person has a special gift from God, one this and another that.
8I say to the unmarried and to widows: It is good for them if they remain as I am.8I say to those who are unmarried, especially to widows: It is good for them to remain like me.
9But if they do not have self-control, they should marry, since it is better to marry than to burn with desire.9However, if they cannot control themselves, they should get married, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10To the married I give this command--not I, but the Lord--a wife is not to leave her husband.10To married people I give this command (not really I, but the Lord): A wife must not leave her husband.
11But if she does leave, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband--and a husband is not to divorce his wife.11But if she does leave him, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. Likewise, a husband must not abandon his wife.
12But I (not the Lord) say to the rest: If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.12I (not the Lord) say to the rest of you: If a brother has a wife who is an unbeliever and she is willing to live with him, he must not abandon her.
13Also, if any woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce her husband.13And if a woman has a husband who is an unbeliever and he is willing to live with her, she must not abandon him.
14For the unbelieving husband is made holy by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy by the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy.14For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified because of her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.
15But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace.15But if the unbelieving partner leaves, let him go. In such cases the brother or sister is not under obligation. God has called you to live in peace.
16Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife.16Wife, you might be able to save your husband. Husband, you might be able to save your wife.
17Let each one live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called him. This is what I command in all the churches.17Nevertheless, everyone should live the life that the Lord gave him and to which God called him. This is my rule in all the churches.
18Was anyone already circumcised when he was called? He should not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised.18Was anyone circumcised when he was called? He should not try to change that. Was anyone uncircumcised when he was called? He should not get circumcised.
19Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter. Keeping God's commands is what matters.19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but obeying God's commandments is everything.
20Let each of you remain in the situation in which he was called.20Everyone should stay in the same condition in which he was called.
21Were you called while a slave? Don't let it concern you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity.21Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let that bother you. Of course, if you have a chance to become free, take advantage of the opportunity.
22For he who is called by the Lord as a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ's slave.22For the slave who has been called to belong to the Lord is the Lord's free person. In the same way, the free person who has been called is the Messiah's slave.
23You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of people.23You were bought for a price. Stop becoming slaves of people.
24Brothers and sisters, each person is to remain with God in the situation in which he was called.24Brothers, everyone should stay in the same condition in which he was called by God.
25Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I do give an opinion as one who by the Lord's mercy is faithful.25Now concerning virgins, although I do not have any command from the Lord, I will give you my opinion as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.
26Because of the present distress, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.26In view of the present crisis, I think it is prudent for a man to stay as he is.
27Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.27Have you become committed to a wife? Stop trying to get released from your commitment. Have you been freed from your commitment to a wife? Stop looking for one.
28However, if you do get married, you have not sinned, and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But such people will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.28But if you do get married, you have not sinned. And if a virgin gets married, she has not sinned. However, these people will experience trouble in this life, and I want to spare you from that.
29This is what I mean, brothers and sisters: The time is limited, so from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none,29This is what I mean, brothers: The time is short. From now on, those who have wives should live as though they had none,
30those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they didn't own anything,30and those who mourn as though they did not mourn, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they did not own a thing,
31and those who use the world as though they did not make full use of it. For this world in its current form is passing away.31and those who use the things in the world as though they were not dependent on them. For the world in its present form is passing away.
32I want you to be without concerns. The unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord--how he may please the Lord.32I want you to be free from concerns. An unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, that is, about how he can please the Lord.
33But the married man is concerned about the things of the world--how he may please his wife--33But a married man is concerned about things of this world, that is, about how he can please his wife,
34and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the things of the world--how she may please her husband.34and so his attention is divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the affairs of the Lord, so that she may be holy in body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, that is, about how she can please her husband.
35I am saying this for your own benefit, not to put a restraint on you, but to promote what is proper and so that you may be devoted to the Lord without distraction.35I'm saying this for your benefit, not to put a noose around your necks, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord.
36If any man thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, if she is getting beyond the usual age for marriage, and he feels he should marry--he can do what he wants. He is not sinning; they can get married.36If a man thinks he is not behaving properly toward his virgin, and if his passion is so strong that he feels he ought to marry her, let him do what he wants; he isn't sinning. Let them get married.
37But he who stands firm in his heart (who is under no compulsion, but has control over his own will) and has decided in his heart to keep her as his fiancé, will do well.37However, if a man stands firm in his resolve, feels no necessity, and has made up his mind to keep her a virgin, he will be acting appropriately.
38So then he who marries his fiancé does well, but he who does not marry will do better.38So then the man who marries the virgin acts appropriately, but the man who refrains from marriage does even better.
39A wife is bound as long as her husband is living. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to anyone she wants--only in the Lord.39A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, only in the Lord.
40But she is happier if she remains as she is, in my opinion. And I think that I also have the Spirit of God.40However, in my opinion she will be happier if she stays as she is. And in saying this, I think that I, too, have God's Spirit.
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.
1 Corinthians 6
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