1Now regarding the things you wrote to me about: “Yes, it is good for a man to abstain from sexual relations with a woman?” 2But because sexual misconduct is so rampant among you, my advice is to let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3Let the husband fulfill his marital duty to his wife; and likewise, the wife to her husband, 4The wife yielding authority of her body to her husband; and the husband also doing the same with his body. 5Do not deprive each other, except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, that you may devote yourselves to fasting and prayer; and then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you because you lack self-control. 6But I say this as a concession, and not as command. 7For I wish that all men were as I am. But every man has his own gift from God; some this, and some that.

8So now I say to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I. 9But if they cannot exercise that kind of self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

10 But for those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord: A wife must not leave her husband. 11But if she does depart, let her either remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband; and the husband must not divorce his wife.

12But to the rest I say (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife that is not a believer, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 13And the woman who has a husband that is not a believer, if he is willing to live with her, let her not leave him. 14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise, your children would be unclean; but as it is, they are holy. 15But if the unbelieving spouse insists on leaving, let them leave. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases; but God has called us to live in peace. 16For how do you know, as a wife, whether you may bring about the salvation of your husband? Or conversely, how do you, as a husband, know whether you might save your wife? 17But each person should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed them in. This is the rule I set in all churches. 18Was any man already circumcised before being called? Let him not become uncircumcised. And if any are called while uncircumcised, let him not be circumcised. 19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what is important. 20Let each person remain in the same circumstances in which they were called. 21Were you called when you were a slave? Do not let that bother you; but if you may gain your freedom, do so. 22For anyone called to the Lord as a slave is free in the Lord; and those called while free, are Christ's servants. 23You were bought at a high price by the Lord; so do not become the slaves of men. 24Brothers and sisters, let everyone remain in whatever state they were called by God.

25Now regarding virgins, I have no command from the Lord; and yet I offer my judgment, as one who, by the mercy of the Lord, is trustworthy. 26I suppose, therefore, that during the present distressful times, it is good for a person to remain as they are. 27Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28But if you do marry, you have not sinned. But those that do marry shall face trouble in this life; and I am trying to spare you this. 29But I do say this, brothers and sisters: the time that remains is short; so those that have spouses should not focus only on their marriage; 30And those that mourn, or rejoice, or that buy; as though they did not mourn, nor rejoice, nor act as if what they bought was theirs to keep. 31And those that use the things of this world, as if not obsessed with them; for the fashion of this world will soon pass away.

32But I would like you to be free of care (concern). An unmarried man is free to care for the things that belong to the Lord - how he may please the Lord; 33But a married man cares for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 34The same type of difference applies between a wife and an unmarried woman. The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit; but she that is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35And this I say for your own benefit – not to restrict you, but that you may focus upon the Lord without distraction. 36But if any man thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his fiancÉe, if his passions are too strong to abstain, let him do what he wishes; that he sins not; let them marry. 37But he that has steadfastly determined in his heart to remain single, and has the will-power, he does well. 38So then he that marries does well; but he that does not marry does better. 39The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whomever she will; but only to a man who belongs to the Lord. 40But, in my judgment, it would be better if she remains as she is (an unmarried widow); and I think I am also giving you counsel that is from the Spirit of God.