1Corinthians:7

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* Now , concerning the things of which you wrote me : It is good for a man not to marry a woman . * Nevertheless , on account of uncleanness , let every man have a wife of his own , and let every woman have her own husband . * Let the husband fulfill his obligations to his wife : and in like manner , also , the wife to the husband . * The wife has not the command of her own person , but the husband : and in like manner , also , the husband has not the command of his own person , but the wife . * Deprive not one another , unless , perhaps , by consent , for a time , that you may devote yourselves to prayer ; and do you come again together , that Satan may not tempt you through your incontinency . * But this which follows I speak as an advice , and not as an injunction , * that I wish all men to be as I myself am . However , each has a proper gift from God ; one , indeed , after this manner , and another after that . * I say , to the unmarried men , and to the widows , it is good for them if they can remain even as I do . * Yet , if they can not live continently , let them marry ; for it is better to marry than to be in pain . * Now , those who have married I charge , (yet not I , but the Lord ;) let not a wife depart from her husband : * but if she even depart , let her remain unmarried , or be reconciled to her husband ; and a husband must not put away his wife . * But the rest I command , not the Lord ; if any brother have an infidel wife , who herself is well pleased to dwell with him , let him not put her away . * And a woman who has an infidel husband , who himself is well pleased to dwell with her , let her not put him away . * For the infidel husband is sanctified by the wife , and the infidel wife is sanctified by the husband ; otherwise , certainly , your children were unclean ; whereas , indeed , they are holy . * But if the infidel depart , let him depart : the brother or the sister is not in bondage with such ; but God has called us to peace . * For how do you know , O wife ! whether you shall save your husband ? And how do you know , O husband ! whether you shall save your wife ? * But as God has distributed to every one , and as the Lord has called every one , so let him walk ; and so , in all the congregations , I ordain . * Has any circumcised one been called ? Let him not be uncircumcised . Has any one been called in uncircumcision ? Let him not be circumcised . * Circumcision is nothing , and uncircumcision is nothing , but the keeping of the commandments of God . * Let every one remain in the same calling in which he was called . * Were you called , being a bondman ? Be not careful to be made free . Yet , if you can be made free , prefer it . * For a bondman , who is called by the Lord , is the Lord 's freedman . In like manner , also , a freedman who is called , is Christ 's bondman . * You were bought with a price : become not the slaves of men . * Brethren , in what state each one was called , in that let him remain with God . * Now , concerning virgins , I have not a commandment of the Lord : but , I give my judgment , as having obtained mercy of the Lord , to be faithful . * I declare this , then , to be good , on account of the present distress ; namely , that it is good for a man who is unmarried , to continue so . * Are you bound to a wife ? seek not to be loosed . Are you loosed from a wife ? seek not a wife . * And yet , if you marry , you have not sinned ; and if a virgin marry , she has not sinned : nevertheless , affliction in the flesh such shall have ; but I spare you . * Now , this I say , brethren , the time being short , it remains that both they who have wives , should be as not having wives ; * and they who weep , as not weeping ; and they who rejoice , as not rejoicing ; and they who buy , as not possessing ; * and they who use this world , as not abusing it : for the form of this world passes by . * Besides , I would have you without anxious care . The unmarried man anxiously cares for the things of the Lord ; how he shall please the Lord . * But he who is married , anxiously cares for the things of the world ; how he shall please his wife . * There is the like difference between the wife and the virgin . The unmarried woman anxiously cares for the things of the Lord ; that she may be holy , both in body and spirit : but she who is married , anxiously cares for the things of the world ; how she shall please her husband . * Now , this I say , for your own benefit ; not with a view to lay a snare for you , but for that which is becoming , and best adapted to a steady , uninterrupted adherence to the Lord . * But if any one thinks he acts improperly toward his virgin , if she be above age , unmarried , and so needs to be married ; let him do what she inclines , he does not sin : let such marry . * But he who stands firm in his heart ; not having necessity , and has power concerning his own will ; and has determined this in his own heart , to keep his virgin , does well . * So , then , even he who gives her in marriage , does well ; but he who gives her not in marriage , does better . * A wife is bound , as long as her husband lives ; but if her husband be dead , she is at liberty to be married to whom she pleases ; only in the Lord . * But she is happier if she continue as she is . This is my opinion ; and I think I have the Spirit of God .

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