1 Corinthians 7:9-31

9But if they do not have self-control, let them get married. For it is better to marry than to burn with sexual desire.

10To the married I give this command – not I, but the Lord – a wife should not divorce a husband

11(but if she does, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband), and a husband should not divorce his wife.

12To the rest I say – I, not the Lord – if a brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is happy to live with him, he should not divorce her.

13And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is happy to live with her, she should not divorce him.

14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified because of the wife, and the unbelieving wife because of her husband. Otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.

15But if the unbeliever wants a divorce, let it take place. In these circumstances the brother or sister is not bound. God has called you in peace.

16For how do you know, wife, whether you will bring your husband to salvation? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will bring your wife to salvation?

17Nevertheless, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each person, so must he live. I give this sort of direction in all the churches.

18Was anyone called after he had been circumcised? He should not try to undo his circumcision. Was anyone called who is uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised.

19Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Instead, keeping God’s commandments is what counts.

20Let each one remain in that situation in life in which he was called.

21Were you called as a slave? Do not worry about it. But if indeed you are able to be free, make the most of the opportunity.

22For the one who was called in the Lord as a slave is the Lord’s freedman. In the same way, the one who was called as a free person is Christ’s slave.

23You were bought with a price. Do not become slaves of men.

24In whatever situation someone was called, brothers and sisters, let him remain in it with God.

25With regard to the question about people who have never married, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one shown mercy by the Lord to be trustworthy.

26Because of the impending crisis I think it best for you to remain as you are.

27The one bound to a wife should not seek divorce. The one released from a wife should not seek marriage.

28But if you marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face difficult circumstances, and I am trying to spare you such problems.

29And I say this, brothers and sisters: The time is short. So then those who have wives should be as those who have none,

30those with tears like those not weeping, those who rejoice like those not rejoicing, those who buy like those without possessions,

31those who use the world as though they were not using it to the full. For the present shape of this world is passing away.