1 Corinthians 7:9-31

9But if they do not have self-control, 1let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

10But to the married I give instructions, 2not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not 3leave her husband 11(but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not 4divorce his wife.

12But to the rest 5I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not 6divorce her. 13And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not 7send her husband away. 14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through 8her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are 9holy. 15Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called 10us 1112to peace. 16For how do you know, O wife, whether you will 13save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

17Only, 14as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And 15so I direct in 16all the churches. 18Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? 17He is not to be circumcised. 1918Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is 19the keeping of the commandments of God. 2020Each man must remain in that 21condition in which he was called.

21Were you called while a slave? 22Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather 23do that. 22For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is 24the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is 25Christ’s slave. 2326You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24Brethren, 27each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.

25Now concerning virgins I have 28no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who 2930by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. 26I think then that this is good in view of the 31present 32distress, that 33it is good for a man 34to remain as he is. 27Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have 35trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you. 29But this I say, brethren, 36the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; 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; 31and those who use the world, as though they did not 37make full use of it; for 38the form of this world is passing away.