1 Corinthians 7
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Teachings on Marriage

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1Now for the matters you wrote about: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman."1Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”1Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.1Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.1Now in response to the matters you wrote about: "It is good for a man not to have relations with a woman."
2But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.2But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.2But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband.2Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.2But because sexual immorality is so common, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.
3The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.3The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.3The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband.3Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.3A husband should fulfill his marital responsibility to his wife, and likewise a wife to her husband.
4The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.4For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.4The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.4The 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.4A wife does not have the right over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband does not have the right over his own body, but his wife does.
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5Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.5Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.5Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.5Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.5Do not deprive one another sexually--except when you agree for a time, to devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again; otherwise, Satan may tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
6I say this as a concession, not as a command.6Now as a concession, not a command, I say this.6But this I say by way of concession, not of command.6But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.6I say the following as a concession, not as a command.
7I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.7I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.7Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.7For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.7I wish that all people were just like me. But each has his own gift from God, one person in this way and another in that way.
8Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.8To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am.8But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.8I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.8I say to the unmarried and to widows: It is good for them if they remain as I am.
9But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.9But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.9But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.9But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.9But if they do not have self-control, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with desire.
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10To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.10To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband10But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband10And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:10I command the married--not I, but the Lord--a wife is not to leave her husband.
11But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.11(but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.11(but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.11But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.11But if she does leave, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband--and a husband is not to leave his wife.
12To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.12To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.12But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her.12But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.12But I (not the Lord) say to the rest: If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not leave her.
13And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.13If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.13And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away.13And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.13Also, if any woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not leave her husband.
14For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.14For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.14For 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.14For the unbelieving husband is set apart for God by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is set apart for God by the husband. Otherwise your children would be corrupt, but now they are set apart for God.
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15But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.15But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.15Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.15But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.15But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace.
16How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?16For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?16For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?16For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?16For you, wife, how do you know whether you will save your husband? Or you, husband, how do you know whether you will save your wife?

Live According to Your Calling

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17Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.17Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.17Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches.17But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.17However, each one must live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called him. This is what I command in all the churches.
18Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.18Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.18Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised.18Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.18Was anyone already circumcised when he was called? He should not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised.
19Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts.19For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.19Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter, but keeping God's commands does.
20Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.20Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.20Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.20Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.20Each person should remain in the life situation in which he was called.
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21Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you--although if you can gain your freedom, do so.21Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)21Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.21Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.21Were you called while a slave? It should not be a concern to you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity.
22For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord's freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ's slave.22For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.22For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord's freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ's slave.22For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.22For he who is called by the Lord as a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ's slave.
23You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.23You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.23You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.23Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.23You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
24Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.24So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.24Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.24Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.24Brothers, each person should remain with God in whatever situation he was called.

Instructions to Unmarried and Widowed

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25Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.25Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.25Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy.25Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.25About virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I do give an opinion as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.
26Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.26I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is.26I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is.26I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.26Therefore I consider this to be good because of the present distress: It is fine for a man to remain as he is.
27Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.27Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.27Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.27Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.27Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
28But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.28But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.28But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.28But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.28However, if you do get married, you have not sinned, and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But such people will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.
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29What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not;29This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none,29But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none;29But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;29And I say this, brothers: The time is limited, so from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none,
30those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep;30and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods,30and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess;30And 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;30those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess,
31those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.31and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.31and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.31And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.31and those who use the world as though they did not make full use of it. For this world in its current form is passing away.
32I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs--how he can please the Lord.32I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.32But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;32But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:32I want you to be without concerns. An unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord--how he may please the Lord.
33But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife--33But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife,33but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife,33But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.33But a married man is concerned about the things of the world--how he may please his wife--
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34and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world--how she can please her husband.34and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.34and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.34There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.34and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the things of the world--how she may please her husband.
35I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.35I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.35This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.35And 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.35Now I am saying this for your own benefit, not to put a restraint on you, but because of what is proper and so that you may be devoted to the Lord without distraction.
36If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married.36If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin.36But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry.36But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.36But if any man thinks he is acting improperly toward his virgin, if she is past marriageable age, and so it must be, he can do what he wants. He is not sinning; they can get married.
37But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin--this man also does the right thing.37But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well.37But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well.37Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast 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.37But he who stands firm in his heart (who is under no compulsion, but has control over his own will) and has decided in his heart to keep his own virgin, will do well.
38So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.38So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.38So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.38So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.38So then he who marries his virgin does well, but he who does not marry will do better.
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39A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.39A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.39A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.39The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.39A wife is bound as long as her husband is living. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to anyone she wants--only in the Lord.
40In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is--and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.40Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.40But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.40But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.40But she is happier if she remains as she is, in my opinion. And I think that I also have the Spirit of God.



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