Principles of Marriage

1But concerning those things about which you wrote to me: That it is good for a man not to receive a wife: 2but on account of fornication, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3Let the husband give to the wife that which is due, and likewise the wife also to the husband. 4The wife has not the authority over her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband has not the authority over his own body, but the wife. 5Do not defraud one another, unless it may be with consent for a time, that you may give attention to prayer, and again come together, in order that Satan may not tempt you on account of your incontinency. 6But I speak this according to knowledge, not according to commandment. 7But I wish that all men were even as myself; but each one has his own gift from God, some one, and some another.

8But I speak to the unmarried and the widows, that it is good for them that they may remain even as I: 9but if they do not contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

10But I proclaim to those who have married, not I, but the Lord, That a wife shall not depart from her husband 11(but if indeed she may depart, let her remain unmarried, or let her be reconciled unto her husband); and that the husband shall not send away the wife.

12But I say to the rest, not the Lord, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is willing to live with him, let him not send her away. 13And if any wife has an unbelieving husband, and he is willing to live with her, let her not send away her husband. 14For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified by the brother. Since then your children are unclean; but now they are holy. 15But if the unbeliever departs, let him or her depart; the brother or the sister has not been enslaved in such things. God has called you in peace. 16For what do you know, O wife, if you shall save your husband? And what do you know, O husband, if you shall save your wife?

Live Your Calling

17If not as the Lord has imparted to each one, and as God has called each one, so let him or her walk. And thus I command in all the churches. 18Is one called having been circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised: has one been called in uncircumcision? let him not get circumcised. 19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. 20Let each one abide in the same calling in which he is called.

21Have you been called being a slave? let it not be a care to you: but if indeed you are able to become free, use it in preference. 22For the one having been called in the Lord, being a slave, is the Lord's freeman: likewise the one having been called, while free, is the slave of Christ. 23You have been bought with a price; be not the slaves of men. 24Let each one remain with the Lord, in the same calling in which he was called, brethren.

The Unmarried and Widowed

25But concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give knowledge, as one having obtained mercy from the Lord to be faithful. 26But I consider this to be good on account of the present distress, that it is good for a man so to be. 27Have you been given to a wife? do not seek separation; have you been separated from a wife? do not seek a wife. 28But if, indeed you may marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin may marry, she has not sinned; but such shall have trouble in the flesh, but I spare you. 29But I say this, brethren; that the time is at hand, that moreover indeed those having wives may be as those not having; 30and those weeping, as those not weeping; and those rejoicing, as those not rejoicing; and those buying, as those not possessing; 31and those using the world, as those not using it thoroughly: for the fashion of this world is passing away.

32I wish you to be free from solicitude. The unmarried man cares for the things of the Lord, in order that he may please the Lord: 33but the one having married cares for the things of the world, in order that he may please his wife. 34A wife and a virgin truly also differ: the unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy in body and in spirit: but she having married cares for the things of the world, that she may please her husband. 35I speak this for the profit of you yourselves; not that I may cast a burden upon you, but for that which is pleasing and acceptable to the Lord without perturbation.

36But if any one considers that he is acting indiscreetly towards his virgin, if she may be marriageable, and thus it ought so to be, let him do what he wishes; he does not sin; let them marry. 37But whosoever stands firm in his heart, having no necessity, and has the right according to his own will, and has determined this in his heart, to keep his virgin, will do well. 38So indeed he that marries his own virgin does well; and he that marries her not will do better.

39A wife has been given so long a time as her husband may live; but if her husband may die, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. 40But she is happier if she may so remain, according to my opinion: but I realize that I truly have the Spirit of God.