the Fourth Week of Advent
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Murdock Translation
1 Corinthians 7
1 And concerning the things of which ye wrote to me, it is praiseworthy for a man not to approach a woman.2 But, on account of whoredom, let each have his own wife and let a woman have her own husband.3 And let the man render to his wife the kindness which is due; and so also the woman to her husband.4 The woman is not the sovereign over her body, but her husband: so also the man is not the sovereign over his body, but the wife.5 Therefore, deprive not one another, except when ye both consent, at the time ye devote yourselves to fasting and prayer; and return again to the same disposition, that Satan tempt you not because of the concupiscence of your body.6 But this I say, as to weak persons, not of positive precept.7 For I would that all men might be like me in purity. But every man is endowed with his gift of God; one thus, and another so.8 And I say to them who have no wives, and to widows, that it is advantageous to them to remain as I am.9 9 But if they cannot endure [fn] , let them marry: for it is more profitable to take a wife, than to burn with concupiscence.
10 And on them who have wives, I enjoin,-not I, but my Lord,-that the woman separate not from her husband.11 And if she separate, let her remain without a husband, or be reconciled to her husband; and let not the man put away his wife.12 And to the rest, say I,- I, not my Lord,-that if there be a brother, who hath a wife that believeth not, and she is disposed to dwell with him, let him not put her away.13 And that woman, who hath a husband that believeth not, and he is disposed to dwell with her let her not forsake her husband.14 For the husband who believeth not, is sanctified by the wife that believeth; and the wife who believeth not, is sanctified by the husband that believeth: otherwise their children would be impure; but now are they pure.15 But if the unbeliever separateth, let him separate: A brother or sister is not in bondage in such cases: it is to peace, God hath called us.16 For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou wilt procure life to thy husband? Or, thou husband, knowest thou, whether thou wilt procure life to thy wife?
17 Every one, however, as the Lord hath distributed to him, and every one as God hath called him, so let him walk. And also thus I enjoin upon all the churches.18 Is a circumcised person called, let him not revert to uncircumcision: and if one uncircumcised be called, let him not become circumcised.19 For circumcision is nothing, neither is uncircumcision; but the keeping of God's commands.20 Let every one continue in the vocation, in which he was called.21 If thou wert called, being a servant; let it not trouble thee. But if thou canst be made free, choose it rather than to serve.22 For he that is called by our Lord, being a servant, is God's freedman: likewise, he that is called, being a free man, is the Messiah's servant.23 Ye are bought with a price; become not the servants of men.24 24 Let every one, my Brethren, continue with God, in whatever [fn] he was called.
