1 Corinthians 7

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1. 1Now, about the matters you wrote to me about: it's good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.
2. 2But because of the danger of sexual sin, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.
3. 3The husband should give his wife the affection she is due, and likewise the wife should do the same for her husband.
4. 4The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
5. 5Don't deprive each other, unless you both agree to do so for a set time so you can devote yourselves to fasting and prayer. Then come back together again, so that Satan doesn't tempt you through your lack of self-control.
6. 6I'm saying this as a concession, not as a command.
7. 7I wish everyone could be like me. But each person has their own gift from God — one person has this gift, another has that one.
8. 8To those who are unmarried and to widows, I say this: it's good for them to stay single, as I am.
9. 9But if they can't control themselves, they should get married, for it is better to marry than to burn.
10. 10To those who are married, I give this command — and it's not just from me, but from the Lord: a wife must not leave her husband.
11. 11But if she does leave, she must either stay unmarried or reconcile with her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
12. 12To everyone else, I say this — and this is from me, not the Lord: if a brother has a wife who doesn't believe, and she's willing to stay with him, he shouldn't divorce her.
13. 13And if a woman has a husband who doesn't believe, and he's willing to stay with her, she shouldn't leave him.
14. 14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.
15. 15But if the unbelieving spouse leaves, let them go. The brother or sister isn't bound in that situation. God has called us to live in peace.
16. 16Wife, how do you know whether you'll save your husband? Husband, how do you know whether you'll save your wife?
17. 17Each person should live the life the Lord has assigned to them, staying in the situation God called them into. This is the rule I lay down in every church.
18. 18Was someone already circumcised when God called them? They shouldn't try to reverse it. Was someone uncircumcised when called? They shouldn't get circumcised.
19. 19Circumcision means nothing, and uncircumcision means nothing. What matters is keeping God's commandments.
20. 20Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
21. 21Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you. But if you get a chance to gain your freedom, take it.
22. 22A slave who was called by the Lord is the Lord's free person. In the same way, a free person who was called is Christ's servant.
23. 23You were bought with a price; do not become servants of men.
24. 24Brothers, whatever situation each person was in when God called them, they should stay in it with God.
25. 25Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be faithful.
26. 26Because of the present crisis, I think it's best for a person to stay as they are.
27. 27Are you married? Don't seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Don't look for a wife.
28. 28But if you marry, you have not sinned, and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. However, those who marry will have trouble in the flesh, but I spare you.
29. 29Here's what I mean, brothers: the time is short. From now on, those who have wives should live as though they don't;
30. 30those who weep, as though they were not weeping; those who rejoice, as though they were not rejoicing; those who buy, as though they possessed nothing;
31. 31and those who use the things of this world, as not misusing them. For the form of this world is passing away.
32. 32I want you to be free from worry. An unmarried man focuses on the Lord's work and how to please the Lord.
33. 33But a married man focuses on worldly matters and how to please his wife.
34. 34There's a difference between a married woman and a virgin. An unmarried woman focuses on the Lord's work, wanting to be holy in both body and spirit. But a married woman focuses on worldly matters and how to please her husband.
35. 35I'm saying this for your benefit, not to restrict you. I want to help you live in a way that's honorable and devoted to the Lord without distraction.
36. 36But if a man thinks he is acting improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the prime of her youth and circumstances require it, he may do as he wishes. He is not sinning; they may marry.
37. 37However, the man who stands firm in his heart, having no necessity, has power over his own will, and has decided in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well.
38. 38So then, the one who gives her in marriage does well, but the one who does not give her in marriage does even better.
39. 39A wife is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wants, only in the Lord.
40. 40But in my opinion, she'll be happier if she stays as she is. And I believe I also have the Spirit of God in saying this.