Read the Bible

¹ Now concerning the things you wrote about: It's good for a man not to touch a woman.[fn][xr] ² But because sexual immorality is so rampant,[fn] every man should have his own wife, and every woman should have her own husband. ³ A husband should fulfill his obligation to his wife, and a wife should do the same for her husband.[xr] ⁴ A wife does not have authority over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband doesn't have authority over his own body, but his wife does. ⁵ Do not withhold yourselves from each other unless you agree to do so for a set time in order to devote yourselves to prayer.[fn] Then you should come together again so that Satan does not tempt you through your lack of self-control.[xr] ⁶ But I say this as a concession, not as a command.[xr] ⁷ I would like everyone to be like me. However, each person has a special gift from God, one this and another that.[xr] ⁸ I say to those who are unmarried, especially to widows: It is good for them to remain like me.[xr] ⁹ However, if they cannot control themselves, they should get married, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.[fn][xr]

¹⁰ To married people I give this command (not really I, but the Lord): A wife must not leave her husband.[xr] ¹¹ But if she does leave him, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. Likewise, a husband must not abandon[fn] his wife. ¹² I (not the Lord) say to the rest of you: If a brother has a wife who is an unbeliever and she is willing to live with him, he must not abandon[fn] her.[xr] ¹³ And if a woman has a husband who is an unbeliever and he is willing to live with her, she must not abandon[fn] him. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified because of her husband.[fn] Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.[xr] ¹⁵ But if the unbelieving partner[fn] leaves, let him go. In such cases the brother or sister is not bound; God has called you[fn] to live in peace.[xr] ¹⁶ Wife, how do you know whether you will save your husband? Husband, how do you know whether you will save your wife?[xr]

¹⁷ Nevertheless, everyone should live the life that the Lord gave him and to which God called him. This is my rule in all the churches.[xr] ¹⁸ Was anyone circumcised when he was called? He should not try to change that. Was anyone uncircumcised when he was called? He should not get circumcised.[xr] ¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but obeying God's commandments is everything.[fn][xr] ²⁰ Everyone should stay in the calling in which he was called. ²¹ Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let that bother you. Of course, if you have a chance to become free, take advantage of the opportunity. ²² For the slave who has been called in the Lord is the Lord's free person. In the same way, the free person who has been called is Christ's slave.[xr] ²³ You were bought for a price. Stop becoming slaves of people.[xr] ²⁴ Brothers, everyone should stay in the calling he was in when called by God.[xr]

²⁵ Now concerning virgins, although I do not have any command from the Lord, I will give you my opinion as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.[xr] ²⁶ In view of the present crisis, I think it is prudent for a man to stay as he is.[xr] ²⁷ Have you been bound to a wife? Stop trying to get free. Have you been freed from a wife? Stop looking for a wife. ²⁸ But if you do get married, you have not sinned. And if a virgin gets married, she has not sinned. However, these people will experience distress in the flesh, and I want to spare you that. ²⁹ This is what I mean, brothers: The time has been shortened. From now on, those who have wives should live as though they had none,[xr] ³⁰ and those who mourn as though they did not mourn, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they did not own a thing, ³¹ and those who use the things in the world as though they were not dependent on them. For the world in its present form is passing away.[xr] ³² I want you to be free from concerns. An unmarried man is concerned about the affairs of the Lord, that is, about how he can please the Lord.[xr] ³³ But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, that is, about how he can please his wife, ³⁴ and so his attention is divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the affairs of the Lord, so that she may be holy in body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, that is, about how she can please her husband.[xr] ³⁵ I'm saying this for your benefit, not to put a noose around your necks, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord.

³⁶ If a man thinks he is not behaving properly toward his virgin,[fn] and if his passion is too strong and he feels he ought to, let him do what he wants; he isn't sinning. Let them get married. ³⁷ However, if a man stands firm in his resolve and feels no necessity but has made up his mind to keep her a virgin, he will be acting appropriately. ³⁸ So then the man who marries the virgin acts appropriately, but the man who refrains from marriage does even better.[xr]

³⁹ A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, only in the Lord.[xr] ⁴⁰ However, in my opinion she will be happier[fn] if she stays as she is. And I think that I, too, have God's Spirit.[xr]