1Corinthians:7

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* Now concerning the question in your letter . It is well for a man to have no intercourse with a woman , * but because there is so much immorality let each man have his own wife ; and let each women have her own husband . * Let the husband give his wife her due , and likewise the wife her husband . The wife is not mistress of her own person , * but her husband is ; and in the same way the husband is not master of his own person , but his wife is . * Do not refuse one another , unless it is only temporary and by mutual consent , so that you may devote yourselves to prayer . Then come together again , lest through your lack of self-control Satan begin to tempt you to sin . * But what I have just said is by way of concession , not command . * I would that every one lived as I do ; but each man has his own special gift from God , one this , another that . * But to the unmarried , and the widows , I say that it is well for them to remain as I am . * If , however , they are not exercising self-control , by all means let them marry ; for marriage is better than the fever of passion . * But to those already married my commandment is - and not mine , but the Lords - that a wife is not to leave her husband ; * (or if she has already left him let her either remain as she is , or be reconciled to him ), and also that a husband is not to put away his wife . * To the rest it is I who am speaking , not the Lord . If any brother has a wife who is not a believer , if he is willing to live with her , let him not send her away . * And a woman whose husband is not a believer , if he is willing to live with her , let her not separate from him . * For the unbelieving husband is consecrated through union with his believing wife ; and the unbelieving wife , through union with her believing husband . Otherwise your children would be unholy , but now they are consecrated to God . * But if the unbelieving partner be determined to leave , separation let it be . In such cases the believing husband or wife is not under bondage . But it is into peace that God has called us . * For how do you know , wife , whether you will save your husband ? Or how do you know , husband , whether you will save your wife ? * Only whatever be the lot in life to which God has assigned each one - and whatever the condition in which he was living when God called him - -in that let him continue . Such is the rule I give in all the churches . * So , was any man called , being circumcised ? Let him not become uncircumcised . Was any man called when he was uncircumcised ? Let him not be circumcised . * Circumcision is nothing , and uncircumcision is nothing . Keeping Gods commands in everything . * Whatever be the condition of life in which he was called , in that let him continue . * Were you called in slavery ? Let not that trouble you ; but if you can become free make use of the opportunity . * For the slave who has been called in the Lord is the Lords freedman ; and in the same way , the free man who is called is Christs slave . * You have been brought with a price ; do not become slaves to men . * Where each man stood when he was called , there , brothers , let him stay , close to God . * I have no command from the Lord to give you concerning unmarried women ; but I give you my opinion , and it is that of a man who , through the Lords mercy , is deserving of your confidence . * I think then , that in view of the time of suffering now imminent , it is best for a man to remain as he is . * Are you bound to a wife ? Do not seek to be free . Are you free from the marriage bond ? Do not seek for a wife . * Yet if you do not marry , you have not done wrong ; and if a girl marries , she has not done wrong . Such people , however , will have trouble in worldy affairs , and I wish to spare you . * Indeed , brothers , the time that remains to us has been shortened ; so let those who have wives live as if they had none , * let those who weep be as though they did not weep , those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice , those who buy as though they did not possess , * and those who use the world as though using it sparingly . For the present phase of the world is passing away . * So I want you to be free from all anxieties . An unmarried man is anxious about the Lords business , how he may please the Lord ; * but a married man is anxious about worldly affairs , how he may please his wife , and he is divided in his mind . * Again , the woman who is widow , or the maid , is anxious about the Lords business , how she may be pure in body and in mind ; but the married woman is anxious about worldly affairs , how she may please her husband . * It is in your own interest that I say this ; not that I may entangle you in a snare , but that I may help you to serve the Lord with fitting and undistracted service . * If , however , a father feels that he is not treating his virgin daughter in a seemly manner , in leaving her unmarried beyond the flower of her age , and so the matter is urgent , let him do what she desires ; he commits no sin . Let the marriage take place . * On the other hand , he who is firm in his purpose and is under no compulsion , but is free to carry out his own wishes , and who has determined to keep his daughter unmarried , does well . * So he that gives his daughter in marriage is doing right , and he who keeps her unmarried will be doing right , and he who keeps her unmarried will be doing better . * A wife is bound to her husband during his lifetime ; but if her husband dies , she is free to marry whomever she will , provided it be in the Lord . * But she is happier , in my judgment , if she remains as she is ; and I think that I , too , have the Spirit of God .

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