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¹ Now concerning the things whereof you wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.² But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.³ Let the husband render to the wife her due: and likewise also the wife to the husband.⁴ The wife does not have power over her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband does not have power over his own body, but the wife.⁵ Do not deprive one another, except it is by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to prayer, and may be together again, that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.⁶ But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.⁷ Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Nevertheless each man has his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.⁸ But I say to the unmarried and to widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.⁹ But if they don't have self-control, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

¹⁰ But to the married I give charge, [yes] not I, but the Lord, That the wife is not to depart from her husband,¹¹ but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or let her be reconciled to her husband; and that the husband is not to leave his wife.¹² But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she consents to dwell with him, let him not leave her.¹³ And if any woman has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to dwell with her, let her not leave her husband.¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.¹⁵ Yet if the unbelieving departs, let him depart: the brother or the sister has not been bound in such [cases]: but God has called you in peace.¹⁶ For how do you know, O wife, whether you shall save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you shall save your wife?

¹⁷ Only, as the Lord has distributed to each man, as God has called each, so let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches.¹⁸ Was any man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has any been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.²⁰ Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called.²¹ Were you called being a slave? Do not care for it: no, even if you can become free, use [it] rather.²² For he that was called in the Lord being a slave, is the Lord's freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ's slave.²³ You were bought with a price; don't become slaves of men.²⁴ Brothers, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God.

²⁵ Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that has obtained mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy.²⁶ I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is on us, [namely,] that it is good for a man to be as he is.²⁷ Are you bound to a wife? Don't seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Don't seek a wife.²⁸ But should you marry, you haven't sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you.²⁹ But this I say, brothers, the time is shortened, that from now on both those that have wives may be as though they had none;³⁰ and those that weep, as though they did not weep; and those that rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those that buy, as though they did not possess;³¹ and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passes away.³² But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord:³³ but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife,³⁴ and is divided. [So] also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.³⁵ And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare on you, but for that which is seemly, and that you may attend on the Lord without distraction.

³⁶ But if any man thinks that he behaves himself unseemly toward his virgin [daughter], if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he will; he does not sin; let them marry.³⁷ But he that stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power as concerning in his own heart, to keep his own virgin [daughter], shall do well.³⁸ So then both he that gives his own virgin [daughter] in marriage does well; and he that does not give her in marriage shall do better.

³⁹ A wife is bound for as long as her husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wants; only in the Lord.⁴⁰ But she is happier if she abides as she is, after my judgment: and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.