¹ Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

² Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

³ Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

⁴ The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

⁵ Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

⁶ But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

⁷ For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath 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 abide even as I.

⁹ But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

¹⁰ And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

¹¹ But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

¹² But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

¹³ And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

¹⁵ But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

¹⁶ For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

¹⁷ But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

¹⁸ Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any 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 every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

²¹ Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

²² For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.

²³ Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

²⁴ Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

²⁵ Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.

²⁶ I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.

²⁷ Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

²⁸ But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

²⁹ But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;

³⁰ And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;

³¹ And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

³² But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

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

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

³⁵ And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

³⁶ But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.

³⁷ Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.

³⁸ So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.

³⁹ The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

⁴⁰ But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

---

¹ Now ^G1161 concerning ^G4012 the things whereof ^G3739 ye wrote ^G1125 unto me: ^G3427 It is good ^G2570 for a man ^G444 not ^G3361 to touch ^G680 a woman. ^G1135

² Nevertheless, ^{G1223 G1161} to avoid fornication, ^G4202 let ^G2192 every man ^G1538 have ^G2192 his own ^G1438 wife, ^G1135 and ^G2532 let ^G2192 every woman ^G1538 have ^G2192 her own ^G2398 husband. ^G435

³ Let ^G591 the husband ^G435 render ^G591 unto the wife ^G1135 due ^G3784 benevolence: ^G2133 and ^G1161 likewise ^G3668 also ^G2532 the wife ^G1135 unto the husband. ^G435

⁴ The wife ^G1135 hath ^G1850 not ^G3756 power ^G1850 of her own ^G2398 body, ^G4983 but ^G235 the husband: ^G435 and ^G1161 likewise ^G3668 also ^G2532 the husband ^G435 hath ^G1850 not ^G3756 power ^G1850 of his own ^G2398 body, ^G4983 but ^G235 the wife. ^G1135

⁵ Defraud ye ^G650 not ^G3361 one the other, ^G240 except ^{G1509 G302} it be ^G5100 with ^G1537 consent ^G4859 for ^G4314 a time, ^G2540 that ^G2443 ye may give yourselves ^G4980 to fasting ^G3521 and ^G2532 prayer; ^G4335 and ^G2532 come ^G4905 together ^{G1909 G846} again, ^G3825 that ^G3363 Satan ^G4567 tempt ^G3985 you ^G5209 not ^G3363 for ^G1223 your ^G5216 incontinency. ^G192

⁶ But ^G1161 I speak ^G3004 this ^G5124 by ^G2596 permission, ^G4774 and not ^G3756 of ^G2596 commandment. ^G2003

⁷ For ^G1063 I would ^G2309 that all ^G3956 men ^G444 were ^G1511 even ^G2532 as ^G5613 I myself. ^G1683 But ^G235 every man ^G1538 hath ^G2192 his proper ^G2398 gift ^G5486 of ^G1537 God, ^G2316 one ^{G3739 G3303} after this manner, ^G3779 and ^G1161 another ^G3739 after that. ^G3779

⁸ I say ^G3004 therefore ^G1161 to the unmarried ^G22 and ^G2532 widows, ^G5503 It is ^G2076 good ^G2570 for them ^G846 if ^G1437 they abide ^G3306 even ^G2504 as ^G5613 I. ^G2504

⁹ But ^G1161 if ^G1487 they ^G1467 cannot ^G3756 contain, ^G1467 let them marry: ^G1060 for ^G1063 it is ^G2076 better ^G2909 to marry ^G1060 than ^G2228 to burn. ^G4448

¹⁰ And ^G1161 unto the married ^G1060 I command, ^G3853 yet not ^G3756 I, ^G1473 but ^G235 the Lord, ^G2962 Let ^G5563 not ^G3361 the wife ^G1135 depart ^G5563 from ^G575 her husband: ^G435

¹¹ But ^G1161 and ^G2532 if ^G1437 she depart, ^G5563 let her remain ^G3306 unmarried, ^G22 or ^G2228 be reconciled ^G2644 to her husband: ^G435 and ^G2532 let ^G863 not ^G3361 the husband ^G435 put away ^G863 his wife. ^G1135

¹² But ^G1161 to the rest ^G3062 speak ^G3004 I, ^G1473 not ^G3756 the Lord: ^G2962 If any ^G1536 brother ^G80 hath ^G2192 a wife ^G1135 that believeth not, ^G571 and ^G2532 she ^G846 be pleased ^G4909 to dwell ^G3611 with ^G3326 him, ^G846 let him ^G863 not ^G3361 put ^G863 her ^G846 away. ^G863

¹³ And ^G2532 the woman ^G1135 which ^G3748 hath ^G2192 an husband ^G435 that believeth not, ^G571 and ^G2532 if he ^G846 be pleased ^G4909 to dwell ^G3611 with ^G3326 her, ^G846 let her ^G863 not ^G3361 leave ^G863 him. ^G846

¹⁴ For ^G1063 the unbelieving ^G571 husband ^G435 is sanctified ^G37 by ^G1722 the wife, ^G1135 and ^G2532 the unbelieving ^G571 wife ^G1135 is sanctified ^G37 by ^G1722 the husband: ^G435 else ^{G686 G1893} were ^G2076 your ^G5216 children ^G5043 unclean; ^G169 but ^G1161 now ^G3568 are they ^G2076 holy. ^G40

¹⁵ But ^G1161 if ^G1487 the unbelieving ^G571 depart, ^G5563 let him depart. ^G5563 A brother ^G80 or ^G2228 a sister ^G79 is ^G1402 not ^G3756 under bondage ^G1402 in ^G1722 such ^G5108 cases: but ^G1161 God ^G2316 hath called ^G2564 us ^G2248 to ^G1722 peace. ^G1515

¹⁶ For ^G1063 what ^G5101 knowest thou, ^G1492 O wife, ^G1135 whether ^G1487 thou shalt save ^G4982 thy husband? ^G435 or ^G2228 how ^G5101 knowest thou, ^G1492 O man, ^G435 whether ^G1487 thou shalt save ^G4982 thy wife? ^G1135

¹⁷ But ^G1508 as ^G5613 God ^G2316 hath distributed ^G3307 to every man, ^G1538 as ^G5613 the Lord ^G2962 hath called ^G2564 every one, ^G1538 so ^G3779 let him walk. ^G4043 And ^G2532 so ^G3779 ordain I ^G1299 in ^G1722 all ^G3956 churches. ^G1577

¹⁸ Is ^G2564 any man ^G5100 called ^G2564 being circumcised? ^G4059 let him ^G1986 not ^G3361 become uncircumcised. ^G1986 Is ^G2564 any ^G5100 called ^G2564 in ^G1722 uncircumcision? ^G203 let him ^G4059 not ^G3361 be circumcised. ^G4059

¹⁹ Circumcision ^G4061 is ^G2076 nothing, ^G3762 and ^G2532 uncircumcision ^G203 is ^G2076 nothing, ^G3762 but ^G235 the keeping ^G5084 of the commandments ^G1785 of God. ^G2316

²⁰ Let ^G3306 every man ^G1538 abide ^G3306 in ^G1722 the same ^G5026 calling ^G2821 wherein ^{G1722 G3739} he was called. ^G2564

²¹ Art thou called ^G2564 being a servant? ^G1401 care ^{G3199 G4671} not ^G3361 for it: ^G3199 but ^G235 if ^G1499 thou mayest ^G1410 be made ^G1096 free, ^G1658 use ^G5530 it rather. ^G3123

²² For ^G1063 he that is called ^G2564 in ^G1722 the Lord, ^G2962 being a servant, ^G1401 is ^G2076 the Lord's ^G2962 freeman: ^G558 likewise ^G3668 also ^G2532 he that is called, ^G2564 being free, ^G1658 is ^G2076 Christ's ^G5547 servant. ^G1401

²³ Ye are bought ^G59 with a price; ^G5092 be ^G1096 not ^G3361 ye ^G1096 the servants ^G1401 of men. ^G444

²⁴ Brethren, ^G80 let ^G3306 every man, ^G1538 wherein ^{G1722 G3739} he is called, ^G2564 therein ^{G1722 G5129} abide ^G3306 with ^G3844 God. ^G2316

²⁵ Now ^G1161 concerning ^G4012 virgins ^G3933 I have ^G2192 no ^G3756 commandment ^G2003 of the Lord: ^G2962 yet ^G1161 I give ^G1325 my judgment, ^G1106 as ^G5613 one that hath obtained mercy ^G1653 of ^G5259 the Lord ^G2962 to be ^G1511 faithful. ^G4103

²⁶ I suppose ^G3543 therefore ^G3767 that this ^G5124 is ^G5225 good ^G2570 for ^G1223 the present ^G1764 distress, ^G318 I say, that ^G3754 it is good ^G2570 for a man ^G444 so ^G3779 to be. ^G1511

²⁷ Art thou bound ^G1210 unto a wife? ^G1135 seek ^G2212 not ^G3361 to be loosed. ^G3080 Art thou loosed ^G3089 from ^G575 a wife? ^G1135 seek ^G2212 not ^G3361 a wife. ^G1135

²⁸ But ^G1161 and ^G2532 if ^G1437 thou marry, ^G1060 thou hast ^G264 not ^G3756 sinned; ^G264 and ^G2532 if ^G1437 a virgin ^G3933 marry, ^G1060 she hath ^G264 not ^G3756 sinned. ^G264 Nevertheless ^G1161 such ^G5108 shall have ^G2192 trouble ^G2347 in the flesh: ^G4561 but ^G1161 I ^G1473 spare ^G5339 you. ^G5216

²⁹ But ^G1161 this ^G5124 I say, ^G5346 brethren, ^G80 the time ^G2540 is short: ^G4958 it remaineth, ^{G2076 G3063} that ^G2443 both ^G2532 they that have ^G2192 wives ^G1135 be ^G5600 as though ^G5613 they had ^G2192 none; ^G3361

³⁰ And ^G2532 they that weep, ^G2799 as ^G5613 though they wept ^G2799 not; ^G3361 and ^G2532 they that rejoice, ^G5463 as ^G5613 though they rejoiced ^G5463 not; ^G3361 and ^G2532 they that buy, ^G59 as ^G5613 though they possessed ^G2722 not; ^G3361

³¹ And ^G2532 they that use ^G5530 this ^G5127 world, ^G2889 as ^G5613 not ^G3361 abusing ^G2710 it: for ^G1063 the fashion ^G4976 of this ^G5129 world ^G2889 passeth away. ^G3855

³² But ^G1161 I would have ^{G1511 G2309} you ^G5209 without carefulness. ^G275 He that is unmarried ^G22 careth ^G3309 for the things that belong to ^G3588 the Lord, ^G2962 how ^G4459 he may please ^G700 the Lord: ^G2962

³³ But ^G1161 he that is married ^G1060 careth ^G3309 for the things that are ^G3588 of the world, ^G2889 how ^G4459 he may please ^G700 his wife. ^G1135

³⁴ There is difference also between ^G3307 a wife ^G1135 and ^G2532 a virgin. ^G3933 The unmarried woman ^G22 careth for ^G3309 the things ^G3588 of the Lord, ^G2962 that ^G2443 she may be ^G5600 holy ^G40 both ^G2532 in body ^G4983 and ^G2532 in spirit: ^G4151 but ^G1161 she that is married ^G1060 careth ^G3309 for the things ^G3588 of the world, ^G2889 how ^G4459 she may please ^G700 her husband. ^G435

³⁵ And ^G1161 this ^G5124 I speak ^G3004 for ^G4314 your ^G5216 own ^G846 profit; ^G4851 not ^G3756 that ^G2443 I may cast ^G1911 a snare ^G1029 upon you, ^G5213 but ^G235 for that which ^G4314 is comely, ^G2158 and ^G2532 that ye may attend upon ^G2145 the Lord ^G2962 without distraction. ^G563

³⁶ But ^G1161 if any man ^G1536 think ^G3543 that he behaveth himself uncomely ^G807 toward ^G1909 his ^G846 virgin, ^G3933 if ^G1437 she pass the flower of her age, ^{G5230 G5600} and ^G2532 need ^G3784 so ^G3779 require, ^G1096 let him do ^G4160 what ^G3739 he will, ^G2309 he sinneth ^G264 not: ^G3756 let them marry. ^G1060

³⁷ Nevertheless ^G1161 he ^G3739 that standeth ^G2476 stedfast ^G1476 in ^G1722 his heart, ^G2588 having ^G2192 no ^G3361 necessity, ^G318 but ^G1161 hath ^G2192 power ^G1849 over ^G4012 his own ^G2398 will, ^G2307 and ^G2532 hath ^G2919 so ^G5124 decreed ^G2919 in ^G1722 his ^G846 heart ^G2588 that he will keep ^G5083 his ^G1438 virgin, ^G3933 doeth ^G4160 well. ^G2573

³⁸ So ^G5620 then ^G2532 he that giveth her in marriage ^G1547 doeth ^G4160 well; ^G2573 but ^G1161 he that giveth her ^G1547 not ^G3361 in marriage ^G1547 doeth ^G4160 better. ^G2908

³⁹ The wife ^G1135 is bound ^G1210 by the law ^{G3551 G1909} as long ^G5550 as ^G3745 her ^G846 husband ^G435 liveth; ^G2198 but ^G1161 if ^G1437 her ^G846 husband ^G435 be dead, ^G2837 she is ^G2076 at liberty ^G1658 to be married ^G1060 to whom ^G3739 she will; ^G2309 only ^G3440 in ^G1722 the Lord. ^G2962

⁴⁰ But ^G1161 she is ^G2076 happier ^G3107 if ^G1437 she ^G3306 so ^G3779 abide, ^G3306 after ^G2596 my ^G1699 judgment: ^G1106 and ^G1161 I think ^G1380 also ^G2504 that I have ^G2192 the Spirit ^G4151 of God. ^G2316

---

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 husband

¹¹ (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 And concerning the things of which ye wrote to me: good `it is' for a man not to touch a woman,

² and because of the whoredom let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her proper husband;

³ to the wife let the husband the due benevolence render, and in like manner also the wife to the husband;

⁴ the wife over her own body hath not authority, but the husband; and, in like manner also, the husband over his own body hath not authority, but the wife.

⁵ Defraud not one another, except by consent for a time, that ye may be free for fasting and prayer, and again may come together, that the Adversary may not tempt you because of your incontinence;

⁶ and this I say by way of concurrence -- not of command,

⁷ for I wish all men to be even as I myself `am'; but each his own gift hath of God, one indeed thus, and one thus.

⁸ And I say to the unmarried and to the widows: it is good for them if they may remain even as I `am';

⁹ and if they have not continence -- let them marry, for it is better to marry than to burn;

¹⁰ and to the married I announce -- not I, but the Lord -- let not a wife separate from a husband:

¹¹ but and if she may separate, let her remain unmarried, or to the husband let her be reconciled, and let not a husband send away a wife.

¹² And to the rest I speak -- not the Lord -- if any brother hath a wife unbelieving, and she is pleased to dwell with him, let him not send her away;

¹³ and a woman who hath a husband unbelieving, and he is pleased to dwell with her, let her not send him away;

¹⁴ for the unbelieving husband hath been sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife hath been sanctified in the husband; otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.

¹⁵ And, if the unbelieving doth separate himself -- let him separate himself: the brother or the sister is not under servitude in such `cases', and in peace hath God called us;

¹⁶ for what, hast thou known, O wife, whether the husband thou shalt save? or what, hast thou known, O husband, whether the wife thou shalt save?

¹⁷ if not, as God did distribute to each, as the Lord hath called each -- so let him walk; and thus in all the assemblies do I direct:

¹⁸ being circumcised -- was any one called? let him not become uncircumcised; in uncircumcision was any one called? let him not be circumcised;

¹⁹ the circumcision is nothing, and the uncircumcision is nothing -- but a keeping of the commands of God.

²⁰ Each in the calling in which he was called -- in this let him remain;

²¹ a servant -- wast thou called? be not anxious; but if also thou art able to become free -- use `it' rather;

²² for he who `is' in the Lord -- having been called a servant -- is the Lord's freedman: in like manner also he the freeman, having been called, is servant of Christ:

²³ with a price ye were bought, become not servants of men;

²⁴ each, in that in which he was called, brethren, in this let him remain with God.

²⁵ And concerning the virgins, a command of the Lord I have not; and I give judgment as having obtained kindness from the Lord to be faithful:

²⁶ I suppose, therefore, this to be good because of the present necessity, that `it is' good for a man that the matter be thus: --

²⁷ Hast thou been bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed; hast thou been loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

²⁸ But and if thou mayest marry, thou didst not sin; and if the virgin may marry, she did not sin; and such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I spare you.

²⁹ And this I say, brethren, the time henceforth is having been shortened -- that both those having wives may be as not having;

³⁰ and those weeping, as not weeping; and those rejoicing, as not rejoicing; and those buying, as not possessing;

³¹ and those using this world, as not using `it' up; for passing away is the fashion of this world.

³² And I wish you to be without anxiety; the unmarried is anxious for the things of the Lord, how he shall please the Lord;

³³ and the married is anxious for the things of the world, how he shall please the wife.

³⁴ The wife and the virgin have been distinguished: the unmarried is anxious for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit, and the married is anxious for the things of the world, how she shall please the husband.

³⁵ And this for your own profit I say: not that I may cast a noose upon you, but for the seemliness and devotedness to the Lord, undistractedly,

³⁶ and if any one doth think `it' to be unseemly to his virgin, if she may be beyond the bloom of age, and it ought so to be, what he willeth let him do; he doth not sin -- let him marry.

³⁷ And he who hath stood stedfast in the heart -- not having necessity -- and hath authority over his own will, and this he hath determined in his heart -- to keep his own virgin -- doth well;

³⁸ so that both he who is giving in marriage doth well, and he who is not giving in marriage doth better.

³⁹ A wife hath been bound by law as long time as her husband may live, and if her husband may sleep, she is free to be married to whom she will -- only in the Lord;

⁴⁰ and she is happier if she may so remain -- according to my judgment; and I think I also have the Spirit of God.

---

¹ But concerning the things of which ye have written [to me]: [It is] good for a man not to touch a woman;

² but on account of fornications, let each have his own wife, and each [woman] have her own husband.

³ Let the husband render her due to the wife, and in like manner the wife to the husband.

⁴ The wife has not authority over her own body, but the husband: in like manner also the husband has not authority over his own body, but the wife.

⁵ Defraud not one another, unless, it may be, by consent for a time, that ye may devote yourselves to prayer, and again be together, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency.

⁶ But this I say, as consenting [to], not as commanding [it].

⁷ Now I wish all men to be even as myself: but every one has his own gift of God: one man thus, and another thus.

⁸ But I say to the unmarried and to the widows, It is good for them that they remain even as I.

⁹ But if they have not control over themselves, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn.

¹⁰ But to the married I enjoin, not *I*, but the Lord, Let not wife be separated from husband;

¹¹ (but if also she shall have been separated, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband;) and let not husband leave wife.

¹² But as to the rest, *I* say, not the Lord, If any brother have an unbelieving wife, and *she* consent to dwell with him, let him not leave her.

¹³ And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents 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; since [otherwise] indeed your children are unclean, but now they are holy.

¹⁵ But if the unbeliever go away, let them go away; a brother or a sister is not bound in such [cases], but God has called us in peace.

¹⁶ For what knowest thou, O wife, if thou shalt save thy husband? or what knowest thou, O husband, if thou shalt save thy wife?

¹⁷ However, as the Lord has divided to each, as God has called each, so let him walk; and thus I ordain in all the assemblies.

¹⁸ Has any one been called circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised: has any one been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but keeping God's commandments.

²⁰ Let each abide in that calling in which he has been called.

²¹ Hast thou been called [being] a bondman, let it not concern thee; but and if thou canst become free, use [it] rather.

²² For the bondman that is called in [the] Lord is the Lord's freedman; in like manner [also] the freeman being called is Christ's bondman.

²³ Ye have been bought with a price; do not be the bondmen of men.

²⁴ Let each, wherein he is called, brethren, therein abide with God.

²⁵ But concerning virgins, I have no commandment of [the] Lord; but I give my opinion, as having received mercy of [the] Lord to be faithful.

²⁶ I think then that this is good, on account of the present necessity, that [it is] good for a man to remain so as he is.

²⁷ Art thou bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed; art thou free from a wife? do not seek a wife.

²⁸ But if thou shouldest also marry, thou hast not sinned; and if the virgin marry, they have not sinned: but such shall have tribulation in the flesh; but I spare you.

²⁹ But this I say, brethren, the time is straitened. For the rest, that they who have wives, be as not having [any]:

³⁰ and they that weep, as not weeping; and they that rejoice, as not rejoicing; and they that buy, as not possessing;

³¹ and they that use the world, as not disposing of it as their own; for the fashion of this world passes.

³² But I wish you to be without care. The unmarried cares for the things of the Lord, how he shall please the Lord;

³³ but he that has married cares for the things of the world, how he shall please his wife.

³⁴ There is a difference between the wife and the virgin. The unmarried cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but she that has married cares for the things of the world, how she shall please her husband.

³⁵ But I say this for your own profit; not that I may set a snare before you, but for what [is] seemly, and waiting on the Lord without distraction.

³⁶ But if any one think that he behaves unseemly to his virginity, if he be beyond the flower of his age, and so it must be, let him do what he will, he does not sin: let them marry.

³⁷ But he who stands firm in his heart, having no need, but has authority over his own will, and has judged this in his heart to keep his own virginity, he does well.

³⁸ So that he that marries himself does well; and he that does not marry does better.

³⁹ A wife is bound for whatever time her husband lives; but if the husband be fallen asleep, she is free to be married to whom she will, only in [the] Lord.

⁴⁰ But she is happier if she so remain, according to my judgment; but I think that *I* also have God's Spirit.

---

¹ Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman.

² But, because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.

³ Let the husband render to his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.

⁴ The wife doesn't have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise also the husband doesn't have authority over his own body, but the wife.

⁵ Don't deprive one another, unless it is by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and may be together again, that Satan doesn't tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

⁶ But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.

⁷ Yet I wish that all men were like me. However each man has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind.

⁸ But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am.

⁹ But if they don't have self-control, let them marry. For it's better to marry than to burn.

¹⁰ But to the married I command--not I, but the Lord--that the wife not leave her husband

¹¹ (but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband not leave his wife.

¹² But to the rest I--not the Lord--say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her.

¹³ The woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live 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 husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now are they holy.

¹⁵ Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace.

¹⁶ For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

¹⁷ Only, as the Lord has distributed to each man, as God has called each, so let him walk. So I command in all the assemblies.

¹⁸ Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone 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 stay in that calling in which he was called.

²¹ Were you called being a bondservant? Don't let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it.

²² For he who was called in the Lord being a bondservant is the Lord's free man. Likewise he who was called being free is Christ's bondservant.

²³ You were bought with a price. Don't become bondservants of men.

²⁴ Brothers, let each man, in whatever condition he was called, stay in that condition with God.

²⁵ Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy.

²⁶ I think that it is good therefore, because of the distress that is on us, that it is good for a man to be as he is.

²⁷ Are you bound to a wife? Don't seek to be freed. Are you free from a wife? Don't seek a wife.

²⁸ But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you.

²⁹ But I say this, brothers: the time is short, that from now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none;

³⁰ and those who weep, as though they didn't weep; and those who rejoice, as though they didn't rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn't possess;

³¹ and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away.

³² But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;

³³ but he who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife.

³⁴ There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world--how she may please her husband.

³⁵ This I say for your own profit; not that I may ensnare you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Lord without distraction.

³⁶ But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn't sin. Let them marry.

³⁷ But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own heart, to keep his own virgin, does well.

³⁸ So then both he who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and he who doesn't give her in marriage does better.

³⁹ A wife is bound by law for as long as her husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whoever she desires, only in the Lord.

⁴⁰ But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God's Spirit.

---

¹ Now, as to the things in your letter to me: It is good for a man to have nothing to do with a woman.

² But because of the desires of the flesh, let every man have his wife, and every woman her husband.

³ Let the husband give to the wife what is right; and let the wife do the same to the husband.

⁴ The wife has not power over her body, but the husband; and in the same way the husband has not power over his body, but the wife.

⁵ Do not keep back from one another what is right, but only for a short time, and by agreement, so that you may give yourselves to prayer, and come together again; so that Satan may not get the better of you through your loss of self-control.

⁶ But this I say as my opinion, and not as an order of the Lord.

⁷ It is my desire that all men might be even as I am. But every man has the power of his special way of life given him by God, one in this way and one in that.

⁸ But I say to the unmarried and to the widows, It is good for them to be even as I am.

⁹ But if they have not self-control let them get married; for married life is better than the burning of desire.

¹⁰ But to the married I give orders, though not I but the Lord, that the wife may not go away from her husband

¹¹ (Or if she goes away from him, let her keep unmarried, or be united to her husband again); and that the husband may not go away from his wife.

¹² But to the rest I say, and not the Lord; If a brother has a wife who is not a Christian, and it is her desire to go on living with him, let him not go away from her.

¹³ And if a woman has a husband who is not a Christian, and it is his desire to go on living with her, let her not go away from her husband.

¹⁴ For the husband who has not faith is made holy through his Christian wife, and the wife who is not a Christian is made holy through the brother: if not, your children would be unholy, but now are they holy.

¹⁵ But if the one who is not a Christian has a desire to go away, let it be so: the brother or the sister in such a position is not forced to do one thing or the other: but it is God's pleasure that we may be at peace with one another.

¹⁶ For how may you be certain, O wife, that you will not be the cause of salvation to your husband? or you, O husband, that you may not do the same for your wife?

¹⁷ Only, as the Lord has given to a man, and as is the purpose of God for him, so let him go on living. And these are my orders for all the churches.

¹⁸ If any man who is a Christian has had circumcision, let him keep so; and if any man who is a Christian has not had circumcision, let him make no change.

¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing, and its opposite is nothing, but only doing the orders of God is of value.

²⁰ Let every man keep the position in which he has been placed by God.

²¹ If you were a servant when you became a Christian, let it not be a grief to you; but if you have a chance to become free, make use of it.

²² For he who was a servant when he became a Christian is the Lord's free man; and he who was free when he became a Christian is the Lord's servant.

²³ It is the Lord who has made payment for you: be not servants of men.

²⁴ My brothers, let every man keep in that condition which is the purpose of God for him.

²⁵ Now about virgins I have no orders from the Lord: but I give my opinion as one to whom the Lord has given mercy to be true to him.

²⁶ In my opinion then, because of the present trouble, it is good for a man to keep as he is.

²⁷ If you are married to a wife, make no attempt to get free from her: if you are free from a wife, do not take a wife.

²⁸ If you get married it is not a sin; and if an unmarried woman gets married it is not a sin. But those who do so will have trouble in the flesh. But I will not be hard on you.

²⁹ But I say this, my brothers, the time is short; and from now it will be wise for those who have wives to be as if they had them not;

³⁰ And for those who are in sorrow, to give no signs of it; and for those who are glad, to give no signs of joy; and for those who are getting property, to be as if they had nothing;

³¹ And for those who make use of the world, not to be using it fully; for this world's way of life will quickly come to an end.

³² But it is my desire for you to be free from cares. The unmarried man gives his mind to the things of the Lord, how he may give pleasure to the Lord:

³³ But the married man gives his attention to the things of this world, how he may give pleasure to his wife.

³⁴ And the wife is not the same as the virgin. The virgin gives her mind to the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in body and in spirit: but the married woman takes thought for the things of the world, how she may give pleasure to her husband.

³⁵ Now I say this for your profit; not to make things hard for you, but because of what is right, and so that you may be able to give all your attention to the things of the Lord.

³⁶ But if, in any man's opinion, he is not doing what is right for his virgin, if she is past her best years, and there is need for it, let him do what seems right to him; it is no sin; let them be married.

³⁷ But the man who is strong in mind and purpose, who is not forced but has control over his desires, does well if he comes to the decision to keep her a virgin.

³⁸ So then, he who gets married to his virgin does well, and he who keeps her unmarried does better.

³⁹ It is right for a wife to be with her husband as long as he is living; but when her husband is dead, she is free to be married to another; but only to a Christian.

⁴⁰ But it will be better for her to keep as she is, in my opinion: and it seems to me that I have the Spirit of God.