1 Corinthians 7:24-40

24Brethren, let every man, in the state in which he is called, continue in it with God.

25Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy from the Lord to be faithful. 26I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.1 27Art thou bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 28But if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. 29But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 30And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; 31And they that use this world, as not abusing it : for the fashion of this world passeth away. 32But I would have you without care. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:2 33But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 34There is a difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

36But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin, if she hath passed the flower of her age, and need so requireth, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. 37Nevertheless he that standeth steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. 38So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.

39The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband is dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. 40But she is happier if she so remain, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.