1 Corinthians 7:22-40 ▼

22 for he who [is] in the LORD—having been called a servant—is the LORD’s freedman: in like manner also he the freeman, having been called, is servant of Christ:

23 you were bought with a price, do not become servants of men;

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

25 And concerning the virgins, I do not have a command of the LORD; and I give judgment as having obtained kindness from the LORD to be faithful.

26 I suppose, therefore, this to be good because of the present necessity, that [it is] good for a man that the matter 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, and if you may marry, you did not sin; and if the virgin may marry, she did not sin; and such will have tribulation in the flesh: and I spare you.

29 And this I say, brothers, the time from now on is having been shortened—that both those having wives may 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 this world, as not using [it] up; for the [present] form of this world is passing away.

32 And I wish you to be without anxiety; the unmarried is anxious for the things of the LORD, how he will please the LORD;

33 and the married is anxious for the things of the world, how he will please the wife.

34 The wife and the virgin have been distinguished: the unmarried is anxious for the things of the LORD, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit, and the married is anxious for the things of the world, how she will please the husband.

35 And this I say for your own profit: not that I may cast a noose on you, but for the seemliness and devotedness to the LORD, undistractedly,

36 and if anyone thinks [it] to be unseemly to his virgin, if she may be beyond the bloom of age, and it ought to be so, what he wills let him do; he does not sin—let him marry.

37 And he does well who has stood steadfast in the heart—not having necessity—and has authority over his own will, and he has determined this in his heart—to keep his own virgin;

38 so that both he who is giving in marriage does well, and he who is not giving in marriage does better.

39 A wife has been bound by law [for] as long [a] time as her husband may live, and if her husband may sleep, she is free to be married to whom she will—only in the LORD;

40 and she is happier if she may so remain—according to my judgment; and I think I also have the Spirit of God.