1 Corinthians 7:24-40

24Brothers and sisters, let each one—in whatever way he was called—remain that way with God.

25Now concerning virgins I have no command from the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.

26I think then, because of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is.

27Are you bound to a wife? Don’t seek a divorce. Are you free from a wife? Don’t seek a wife.

28But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such people will have trouble in this fleshly life, and I am trying to spare you.

29But this I say, brothers and sisters—the time is short. From now on those who have wives should be as though they had none;

30and those who weep, as though not weeping; and those who rejoice, as though not rejoicing; and those who buy, as though not possessing;

31and those who use the world, as though not using it to the fullest. For the present form of this world is passing away.

32But I want you to be free from cares. An unmarried man cares about the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord;

33but the married man cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife—

34and he is divided. The unmarried woman, as well as the virgin, cares about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But the married woman cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.

35Now I say this for your own benefit—not to put a restraint on you, but to promote proper and constant service to the Lord without distraction.

36But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if the time is ripe and it is meant to be, let him do what he decides. He does not sin. Let them marry.

37But he who stands firm in his heart—who has no pressure, but has power over his own will and has so determined in his own heart to keep her a virgin—he will do well.

38So then both he who marries the virgin does well, and he who doesn’t marry her does better.

39A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives; but if her husband dies, she is free to be married to anyone she wishes—only in the Lord.

40But in my judgment she is happier if she stays as she is—and I also think that I have the Ruach Elohim.