1 Corinthians 7

1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.2 But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.3 Let the husband render unto the wife her due: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.4 The wife hath not power over her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power over his own body, but the wife.5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that ye may give yourselves unto prayer, and may be together again, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency.6 But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.7 Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.9 But if they have not continency, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.10 But unto the married I give charge, yea not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband11 (but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not his wife.12 But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her.13 And the woman that hath an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell with her, let her not leave her husband.14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.15 Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us in peace.16 For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife?17 Only, as the Lord hath distributed to each man, as God hath called each, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches.18 Was any man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.20 Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called.21 Wast thou called being a bondservant? Care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use it rather.22 For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord’s freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ’s bondservant.23 Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men.24 Brethren, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God.25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy.26 I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, namely, that it is good for a man to be as he is.27 Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife.28 But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you.29 But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none;30 and those that weep, as though they wept not; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those that buy, as though they possessed not;31 and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passeth away.32 But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord:33 but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife,34 and is divided. So also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.35 And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.36 But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin daughter, if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them marry.37 But he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power as touching in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, shall do well.38 So then both he that giveth his own virgin daughter in marriage doeth well; and he that giveth her not in marriage shall do better.39 A wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.40 But she is happier if she abide as she is, after my judgment: and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 7

Celibacy and Marriage

1 Now with regard to the issues you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”t2 But because of immoralities, each man should have relations witht his own wife and each woman witht her own husband.3 A husband should give to his wife her sexual rights,t and likewise a wife to her husband.4 It is not the wife who has the rights to her own body, but the husband. In the same way, it is not the husband who has the rights to his own body, but the wife.5 Do not deprive each other, except by mutual agreement for a specified time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer.s Then resume your relationship,t so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.6 I say this as a concession, not as a command.

7 I wish that everyone was as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one this way, another that.
8 To the unmarried and widows I say that it is best for them to remain as I am.

9 But if they do not have self-control, let them get married. For it is better to marry than to burn with sexual desire.t
10 To the married I give this command – not I, but the Lords – a wife should not divorce a husband

11 (but if she does, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband), and a husband should not divorce his wife.
12 To the rest I say – I, not the Lords – if a brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is happy to live with him, he should not divorce her.13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is happy to live with her, she should not divorce him.14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified because of the wife, and the unbelieving wife because of her husband.s Otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.15 But if the unbeliever wants a divorce, let it take place. In these circumstances the brother or sister is not bound.s God has called you in peace.

16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will bring your husband to salvation?t Or how do you know, husband, whether you will bring your wife to salvation?t

The Circumstances of Your Calling

17 Nevertheless,t as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each person, so must he live. I give this sort of direction in all the churches.18 Was anyone called after he had been circumcised? He should not try to undo his circumcision.t Was anyone called who is uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised.19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Instead, keeping God’s commandments is what counts.20 Let each one remain in that situation in lifet in which he was called.21 Were you called as a slave?t Do not worry about it. But if indeed you are able to be free, make the most of the opportunity.22 For the one who was called in the Lord as a slave is the Lord’s freedman. In the same way, the one who was called as a free person is Christ’s slave.23 You were bought with a price. Do not become slaves of men.

24 In whatever situation someone was called, brothers and sisters,t let him remain in it with God.

Remaining Unmarried

25 With regard to the question about people who have never married,t I have no command from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one shown mercy by the Lord to be trustworthy.26 Because of the impending crisis I think it best for you to remain as you are.27 The one bound to a wife should not seek divorce. The one released from a wife should not seek marriage.t28 But if you marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face difficult circumstances,t and I am trying to spare you such problems.t29 And I say this, brothers and sisters:t The time is short. So then those who have wives should be as those who have none,30 those with tears like those not weeping, those who rejoice like those not rejoicing, those who buy like those without possessions,

31 those who use the world as though they were not using it to the full. For the present shape of this world is passing away.
32 And I want you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.33 But a married man is concerned about the things of the world, how to please his wife,34 and he is divided. An unmarried womans or a virginst is concerned about the things of the Lord, to be holy both in body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the things of the world, how to please her husband.

35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place a limitation on you, but so that without distraction you may give notable and constant service to the Lord.
36 If anyone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his virgin,t if she is past the bloom of youtht and it seems necessary, he should do what he wishes; he does not sin. Let them marry.37 But the man who is firm in his commitment, and is under no necessity but has control over his will, and has decided in his own mind to keep his own virgin, does well.

38 So then, the one who marriest his own virgin does well, but the one who does not, does better.sssssss
39 A wife is bound as long as her husband is living. But if her husband dies,t she is free to marry anyone she wishes (only someone in the Lord).

40 But in my opinion, she will be happier if she remains as she is – and I think that I too have the Spirit of God!