1st Corinthians 7

 

1 Now concerning the things that you wrote to me (about): It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

2 Nevertheless, because of (the unfruitfulness of) fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

3 Let the husband give to the wife her due affection: and likewise, also the wife to the husband.

4 The wife does not have the authority of her own body, but (has given it over to) the husband: and likewise, also the husband has not the authority of his own body, but (has given it over to) the wife.

5 Do not deprive one another, except it is with consent (from the other) for a time, so that you may devote (some time for) yourselves to (rest and) pray; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

6 But I say (all) this by way of permission, and not as an order (you are required to obey).

7 For I wish that all men were even as I am myself (unmarried). But every man has his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they continue (unmarried) even as I am.

9 But if they cannot contain (themselves), let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn (with passion).

10 And to the married I instruct you, yet not I, but (according to the wisdom) the Lord (sees fitting of His union with you), the wife should not depart from her husband:

11 But if she has separated, she should remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and do not allow the husband to send away his wife (in divorce).

12 But to the rest I speak and not the Lord: If any brother has a wife that does not believe, and she is pleased to dwell with him, He should not send her away (in divorce).

13 And the woman that has a husband that does not believe, and if he (also) is pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

14 For the unbelieving husband is (dedicated as holy) set apart by the wife (and her union with God), and the unbelieving wife is (dedicated as holy) set apart by the husband (and his union with God as they are one flesh): or else their children would be (seen as) unclean; but now are they holy (from a holy union).

15 But if the unbelieving (spouse) departs, let them depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God has called us to peace.

16 For what do you know, O wife, whether you will save your (unbelieving) husband? or how do you know, O man, whether you will save your (unbelieving) wife?

17 Regardless, just as (one was when) God portioned (faith) to their heart, just as (one was when) the Lord called them (into union with Him), so let him walk (in the same). And so do I teach (and establish) in all churches.

18 If there is any man called who is circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. If there is any call in uncircumcision? let him not become circumcised.

19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but (rather a new creation in Christ is) the keeping of the commandments of God.

20 Let every man remain in the same calling wherein he was called (whether bond or free).

21 Are you called being a servant? Do not be troubled by (the care of) it: but if you might be made free, rather make use of it.

22 For he that is called into union with the Lord, (while) being a servant, is free (because of) the Lord: likewise, also he that is called, (while) being free, is Christ's servant.

23 You are (free from death) bought with a price (by the Lord Jesus); do not make yourselves the servants of men.

24 Brothers, let every man (that is made free in Christ), (remain) wherein he is called, and therein remain (content) with (the freedom that comes from) God (alone and not from man).

25 Now concerning the unmarried (virgin) I have no commandment from the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy.

26 I think therefore that it is good for the present distress (in the world), I say, that it is good for a man to be (or stay) 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 If however you marry, you have not erred (from the faith); and (so also) if a virgin marries, she has not erred. Nevertheless, such a one will have trouble in the flesh: and I (would like to) spare you (that).

29 But this I say, brothers, the time (of the Lord’s appearance) is closer now (than when you first believed): (while) it remains, (I say) that even they that have wives (should) be as though they had none;

30 And they that weep (of worldly things), as though they wept not; and they that rejoice (in worldly things), as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not (anything that could profit them in the Lord);

31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: because the (present corrupt) fashion of this world passes away (in the Lord’s return).

32 But I desire that you would be without concern (for the things of this world). He that is unmarried cares for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

33 But he that is married cares for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

34 There is a difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy (set apart) both in body and in spirit: but she that is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

35 And this I speak for your own benefit and not that I might place some restraint (or bondage) on you, but rather for that which is good (and profitable), and so that you might be devoted to (the things of) the Lord without distraction.

36 But if any man thinks that he behaves himself unbecoming toward his virgin (daughter, constraining or bringing disgrace to her), if she passes the flower of her age (unmarried), and so ought to (marry), let him do as he wishes, he does not err from the faith: let them marry.

37 Nevertheless, he that stands faithful in his heart, not from necessity, but who has power over his own will (to do as he desires), and has so decided in his heart that he will keep his virgin (daughter unmarried), does well.

38 So then he that gives her in marriage does well, but he that does not give her in marriage does better (that she might be devoted to the Lord without distraction).

39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whomever she will; only in the Lord.

40 But she will be happier if she then remains (unmarried, free from the cares and distractions of the world), after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.