1Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote : It is good for a man not to touch a woman . 2But , because of fornications , let each man have his own wife , and let each woman have her own husband. 3Let the husband render unto the wife her due : and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4The 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 . 5Defraud 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. 6But this I say by way of concession , not of commandment . 7Yet 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 . 8But I say to the unmarried and to widows , It is good for them if they abide even as I . 9But if they have not continency, let them marry : for it is better to marry than to burn .
Instructions for Married Couples
10But 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 . 12But 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 . 13And the woman that hath an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell with her , let her not leave her husband. 14For 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. 15Yet 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 . 16For how knowest thou , O wife , whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou , O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife ?
The Unmarried and Widows
17Only , 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 . 18Was any man called being circumcised ? let him not become uncircumcised . Hath any been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised . 19Circumcision is nothing , and uncircumcision is nothing ; but the keeping of the commandments of God . 20Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called . 21Wast thou called being a bondservant? care not for it : nay, even if thou canst become free , use it rather . 22For 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. 23Ye were bought with a price ; become not bondservants of men . 24Brethren, let each man , wherein he was called , therein abide with God .
The Present Crisis
25Now 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 . 26I 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 . 27Art thou bound unto a wife ? seek not to be loosed . Art thou loosed from a wife ? seek not a wife . 28But 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 . 29But this I say , brethren , the time is shortened , that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none ; 30and 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 ; 31and those that use the world , as not using it to the full : for the fashion of this world passeth away . 32But 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 : 33but he that is married is careful for the things of the world , how he may please his wife , 34and 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. 35And 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. 36But 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 . 37But he that standeth stedfast in his heart , having no necessity, but hath power as touching his own will , and hath determined this in his own heart , to keep his own virgin daughter , shall do well . 38So then both he that giveth his own virgin daughter in marriage doeth well ; and he that giveth her not in marriage shall do better . 39A 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 . 40But she is happier if she abide as she is , after my judgment : and I think that I also have the Spirit of God .