1 Corinthians - douay rheims

Chapter 7

¹ NOW concerning the thing whereof you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
² But for fear of fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
³ Let the husband render the debt to his wife, and the wife also in like manner to the husband.
⁴ The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband. And in like manner the husband also hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
⁵ Defraud not one another, except, perhaps, by consent, for a time, that you may give yourselves to prayer; and return together again, lest Satan tempt you for your incontinency.
⁶ But I speak this by indulgence, not by commandment.
⁷ For I would that all men were even as myself: but every one hath his proper gift from God; one after this manner, and another after that.
⁸ But I say to the unmarried, and to the widows: It is good for them if they so continue, even as I.
⁹ But if they do not contain themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to be burnt.
¹⁰ But to them that are married, not I but the Lord commandeth, that the wife depart not from her husband.
¹¹ And if she depart, that she remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband. And let not the husband put away his wife.
¹² For to the rest I speak, not the Lord. If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she consent to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
¹³ And if any woman hath a husband that believeth not, and he consent to dwell with her, let her not put away her husband.
¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the believing wife; and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the believing husband: otherwise your children should be unclean; but now they are holy.
¹⁵ But if the unbeliever depart, let him depart. For a brother or sister is not under servitude 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 man, whether thou shalt save thy wife ?
¹⁷ But as the Lord hath distributed to every one, as God hath called every one, so let him walk: and so in all churches I teach.
¹⁸ Is any man called, being circumcised ? let him not procure uncircumcision. Is any man called in uncircumcision ? let him not be circumcised.
¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing: but the observance of the commandments of God.
²⁰ Let every man abide in the same calling in which he was called.
²¹ Wast thou called, being a bondman ? 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 bondman, is the freeman of the Lord. Likewise he that is called, being free, is the bondman of Christ.
²³ You are bought with a price; be not made the bondslaves of men.
²⁴ Brethren, let every man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God.
²⁵ Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord; but I give counsel, as having obtained mercy of the Lord, to be faithful.
²⁶ I think therefore that this is good for the present necessity, that it is good for a man so to be.
²⁷ Art thou bound to a wife ? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife ? seek not a wife.
²⁸ But if thou take a wife, thou hast not sinned. And if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned: nevertheless, such shall have tribulation of the flesh. But I spare you.
²⁹ This therefore I say, brethren; the time is short; it remaineth, that they also who have wives, be as if they had none;
³⁰ And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as if they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
³¹ And they that use this world, as if they used it not: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
³² But I would have you to be without solicitude. He that is without a wife, is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God.
³³ But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife: and he is divided.
³⁴ And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinketh on the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she that is married thinketh on the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
³⁵ And this I speak for your profit: not to cast a snare upon you; but for that which is decent, and which may give you power to attend upon the Lord, without impediment.
³⁶ But if any man think that he seemeth dishonoured, with regard to his virgin, for that she is above the age, and it must so be: let him do what he will; he sinneth not, if she marry.
³⁷ For he that hath determined being steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but having power of his own will; and hath judged this in his heart, to keep his virgin, doth well.
³⁸ Therefore, both he that giveth his virgin in marriage, doth well; and he that giveth her not, doth better.
³⁹ A woman is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband die, she is at liberty: let her marry to whom she will; only in the Lord.
⁴⁰ But more blessed shall she be, if she so remain, according to my counsel; and I think that I also have the spirit of God.

1 Corinthians - webster

Chapter 7

¹ Now concerning the things of which ye wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
² Nevertheless, to avoid lewdness, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
³ Let the husband render to the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife to 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 with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan may not tempt you for your incontinence.
⁶ But I speak this by permission, and not as a commandment.
⁷ For I would that all men were as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift from 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 remain even as I.
⁹ But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
¹⁰ And to the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
¹¹ But if she shall 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 I speak, not the Lord, if any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she is pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
¹³ And the woman who hath a husband that believeth not, and if he is 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 departeth, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases; but God hath called us to peace.
¹⁶ For how 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 I ordain in all churches.
¹⁸ Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not become circumcised.
¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
²⁰ Let every man continue in the same calling in which 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 free-man: 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 in the state in which he is called, continue in it with God.
²⁵ Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment as one that hath obtained mercy from 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 to a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
²⁸ But if thou marry, thou hast not sinned: and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless, such will 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 anxious care. He that is unmarried, is anxious for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
³³ But he that is married, is anxious 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 is anxious for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy, both in body and in spirit: but she that is married, is anxious 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 thinketh that he behaveth himself uncomely towards his virgin, if she hath passed the flower of her age, and need so requireth, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
³⁷ Nevertheless, he that standeth steadfast 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 is dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
⁴⁰ But she is happier if she so remain, after my judgment; and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians - world english bible

Chapter 7

¹ concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman.
² because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
³ the husband render to his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.
⁴ 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 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 this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.
⁷ 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 I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am.
⁹ if they don't have self-control, let them marry. For it's better to marry than to burn.
¹⁰ to the married I command--not I, but the Lord--that the wife not leave her husband
¹¹ if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband not leave his wife.
¹² 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 woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband.
¹⁴ 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 they are holy.
¹⁵ 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 how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
¹⁷ 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 anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
¹⁹ is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
²⁰ each man stay in that calling in which he was called.
²¹ you called being a bondservant? Don't let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it.
²² 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 were bought with a price. Don't become bondservants of men.
²⁴ let each man, in whatever condition he was called, stay in that condition with God.
²⁵ 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 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 you bound to a wife? Don't seek to be freed. Are you free from a wife? Don't seek a wife.
²⁸ 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 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 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 those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away.
³² 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 he who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife.
³⁴ 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 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 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 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 then both he who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and he who doesn't give her in marriage does better.
³⁹ 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 she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God's Spirit.

1 Corinthians - darby

Chapter 7

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 Corinthians - american standard version

Chapter 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 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 Corinthians - basic english

Chapter 7

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.