1Cor 7
1
Now concerning the things whereof you 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 to the wife her due: and likewise also the wife to the husband.
4
The wife has not power over her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband
has not power over his own body, but the wife.
5
Defraud you not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that you may
give yourselves to 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. Nevertheless each man has 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 to 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 has an unbelieving wife, and she
is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her.
13
And the woman that has 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 departs, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under
bondage in such [cases]: but God has called us in peace.
16
For how know you, O wife, whether you shall save your husband? Or how know you, O
husband, whether you shall save your wife?
17
Only, as the Lord has distributed to each man, as God has 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. Has 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
Were you called being a bondservant? Care not for it: nay, even if you can become
free, use [it] rather.
22
For he who was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord`s freedman: likewise
he who was called being free, is Christ`s bondservant.
23
You 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 has 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 you bound to a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art you loosed from a wife? Seek not
a wife.
28
But should you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she has 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 passes away.
32
But I would have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is careful for the
things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
33
but he who 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 you may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
36
But if any man thinks that he behaves himself unseemly toward his virgin [daughter],
if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he
will; he sins not; let them marry.
37
But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power as touching
in his own heart, to keep his own virgin [daughter], shall do well.
38
So then both he who gives his own virgin [daughter] in marriage does well; and he
who gives her not in marriage shall do better.
39
A wife is bound for so long time as her husband lives; 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.