1 Corinthians 7:18-40 ▼

18 Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.

19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping of the commandments of God.

20 Each in the calling in which he has been called—in this let him remain.

21 Were you called while a slave? Let it not be a care to you; but if also you have power to become free, rather use it.

22 For the one having been called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman; likewise the one having been called while free is a slave of Christ.

23 You? were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.

24 Each in that in which he was called, brothers—in this let him remain with God.

25 Now concerning the virgins, I do not have a commandment of the Lord, but I give judgment as one having received mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy.

26 Therefore I think this is good, because of the present necessity, that it is good for a man to be thus.

27 Have you been bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Have you been loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

28 But if also you shall have married, you did not sin; and if the virgin shall have married, she did not sin. But such will have tribulation in the flesh, and I am sparing you?.

29 Now I say this, brothers: The time is shortened—so that from now on both those having wives should be as not having;

30 and those weeping, as not weeping; and those rejoicing, as not rejoicing; and those buying, as not possessing;

31 and those using the world, as not using it up. For the form of this world is passing away.

32 But I want you? to be without concern. The unmarried man is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he should please the Lord;

33 but the one being married is concerned for the things of the world, how he should please the wife,

34 and is divided. And the unmarried woman and virgin is concerned for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit; but the one being married is concerned for the things of the world, how she should please the husband.

35 Now I say this for your? own profit, not so that I might place upon you? a restraint, but for what is seemly and devoted to the Lord, without distraction.

36 But if anyone supposes himself to be acting unbecomingly to his virgin, if she is beyond youth, and it ought to be so, let him do what he wills; he does not sin; let them marry.

37 But he who has stood steadfast in his heart, not having necessity but having authority over his own will, and has judged this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin, he will do well.

38 So then also, the one marrying his own virgin does well, and the one not marrying will do better.

39 A wife has been bound for as long a time as her husband may live; but if the husband shall have died, she is free to be married to whom she wants, only in the Lord.

40 But she is more blessed if she should remain in the same manner, according to my judgment; and I think myself also to have the Spirit of God.