1 Corinthians 7 Parallel Bible Translations

1 Corinthians 7 ▼
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1 Now in regard to the matters about which you wrote: “It is a good thing for a man not to touch a woman,” Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”
2 but because of cases of immorality every man should have his own wife, and every woman her own husband. But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.
3 The husband should fulfill his duty toward his wife, and likewise the wife toward her husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.
4 A wife does not have authority over her own body, but rather her husband, and similarly a husband does not have authority over his own body, but rather his wife. For 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. The 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.
5 Do not deprive each other, except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, to be free for prayer, but then return to one another, so that Satan may not tempt you through your lack of self-control. Do 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. Do 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.
6 This I say by way of concession, however, not as a command. Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I say this as a concession, not as a command.
7 Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am, but each has a particular gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. I 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.
8 Now to the unmarried and to widows I say: it is a good thing for them to remain as they are, as I do, To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.
9 but if they cannot exercise self-control they should marry, for it is better to marry than to be on fire. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 To the married, however, I give this instruction (not I, but the Lord): A wife should not separate from her husband To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.
11 —and if she does separate she must either remain single or become reconciled to her husband—and a husband should not divorce his wife. (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
12 To the rest I say (not the Lord): if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she is willing to go on living with him, he should not divorce her; To 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. To 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.
13 and if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he is willing to go on living with her, she should not divorce her husband. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.
14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through the brother. Otherwise your children would be unclean, whereas in fact they are holy. For 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. For 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.
15 If the unbeliever separates, however, let him separate. The brother or sister is not bound in such cases; God has called you to peace. But 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. But 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.
16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband; or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
17 Only, everyone should live as the Lord has assigned, just as God called each one. I give this order in all the churches. Only 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. Nevertheless, 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.
18 Was someone called after he had been circumcised? He should not try to undo his circumcision. Was an uncircumcised person called? He should not be circumcised. Was 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. Was 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.
19 Circumcision means nothing, and uncircumcision means nothing; what matters is keeping God’s commandments. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts.
20 Everyone should remain in the state in which he was called. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
21 Were you a slave when you were called? Do not be concerned but, even if you can gain your freedom, make the most of it. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.
22 For the slave called in the Lord is a freed person in the Lord, just as the free person who has been called is a slave of Christ. For 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. For 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.
23 You have been purchased at a price. Do not become slaves to human beings. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.
24 Brothers, everyone should continue before God in the state in which he was called. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
25 Now in regard to virgins I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. Now 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. Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
26 So this is what I think best because of the present distress: that it is a good thing for a person to remain as he is. I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.
27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek a separation. Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for a wife. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.
28 If you marry, however, you do not sin, nor does an unmarried woman sin if she marries; but such people will experience affliction in their earthly life, and I would like to spare you that. But 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. But 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.
29 I tell you, brothers, the time is running out. From now on, let those having wives act as not having them, This 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, What 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;
30 those weeping as not weeping, those rejoicing as not rejoicing, those buying as not owning, and 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, those 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;
31 those using the world as not using it fully. For the world in its present form is passing away. and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
32 I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord.
33 But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—
34 and he is divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in both body and spirit. A married woman, on the other hand, is anxious about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. and 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. and 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.
35 I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to impose a restraint upon you, but for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction. I 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. I 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.
36 If anyone thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, and if a critical moment has come and so it has to be, let him do as he wishes. He is committing no sin; let them get married. If 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. If 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.
37 The one who stands firm in his resolve, however, who is not under compulsion but has power over his own will, and has made up his mind to keep his virgin, will be doing well. But 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. But 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.
38 So then, the one who marries his virgin does well; the one who does not marry her will do better. So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better. So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.
39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whomever she wishes, provided that it be in the Lord. A 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. A 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.
40 She is more blessed, though, in my opinion, if she remains as she is, and I think that I too have the Spirit of God. Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God. In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
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