1 Corinthians 7:9-31

9But if they do not have [sufficient] self-control, they should marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

10But to the married [believers] I give instructions—not I, but the Lord—that the wife is not to separate from her husband,

11(but even if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to her husband) and that the husband should not leave his wife.

12To the rest I declare—I, not the Lord [since Jesus did not discuss this]—that if any [believing] brother has a wife who does not believe [in Christ], and she consents to live with him, he must not leave her.

13And if any [believing] woman has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not leave him.

14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified [that is, he receives the blessings granted] through his [Christian] wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be [ceremonially] unclean, but as it is they are holy.

15But if the unbelieving partner leaves, let him leave. In such cases the [remaining] brother or sister is not [spiritually or morally] bound. But God has called us to peace.

16For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband [by leading him to Christ]? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife [by leading her to Christ]?

17Only, let each one live the life which the Lord has assigned him, and to which God has called him [for each person is unique and is accountable for his choices and conduct, let him walk in this way]. This is the rule I make in all the churches.

18Was anyone at the time of his calling [from God already] circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called while uncircumcised? He is not to be circumcised.

19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is keeping the commandments of God.

20Each one should remain in the condition in which he was [when he was] called.

21Were you a slave when you were called? Do not worry about that [since your status as a believer is equal to that of a freeborn believer]; but if you are able to gain your freedom, do that.

22For he who was a slave when he was called in the Lord is a freedman of the Lord, likewise he who was free when he was called is a slave of Christ.

23You were bought with a price [a precious price paid by Christ]; do not become slaves to men [but to Christ].

24Brothers, let each one remain with God in that condition in which he was [when he was] called.

25Now concerning the virgins [of marriageable age] I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.

26I think then that because of the impending distress [that is, the pressure of the current trouble], it is good for a man to remain as he is.

27Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you unmarried? Do not seek a wife.

28But if you do marry, you have not sinned [in doing so]; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned [in doing so]. Yet those [who marry] will have troubles (special challenges) in this life, and I am trying to spare you that.

29But I say this, believers: the time has been shortened, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they did not;

30and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess [anything];

31and those who use the world [taking advantage of its opportunities], as though they did not make full use of it. For the outward form of this world [its present social and material nature] is passing away.