1 Corinthians 7:1-9 ▼

1 Now in regard to the matters about which you wrote: “It is a good thing for a man not to touch a woman,”

2 but because of cases of immorality every man should have his own wife, and every woman her own husband.

3 The husband should fulfill his duty toward his wife, and likewise the wife toward 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.

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.

6 This I say by way of concession, however, 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.

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,

9 but if they cannot exercise self-control they should marry, for it is better to marry than to be on fire.