1 Corinthians 7

1 But concerning the things of which ye have written [to me]: [It is] good for a man not to touch a woman;

Now concerning the thing whereof you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

2 but on account of fornications, let each have his own wife, and each [woman] have her own husband.

But for fear of fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

3 Let the husband render her due to the wife, and in like manner the wife to the husband.

Let the husband render the debt to his wife, and the wife also in like manner to the husband.

4 The wife has not authority over her own body, but the husband: in like manner also the husband has not authority over his own body, but the wife.

The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband. And in like manner the husband also hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

5 Defraud not one another, unless, it may be, by consent for a time, that ye may devote yourselves to prayer, and again be together, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency.

Defraud not one another, except, perhaps, by consent, for a time, that you may give yourselves to prayer; and return together again, lest Satan tempt you for your incontinency.

6 But this I say, as consenting [to], not as commanding [it].

But I speak this by indulgence, not by commandment.

7 Now I wish all men to be even as myself: but every one has his own gift of God: one man thus, and another thus.

For I would that all men were even as myself: but every one hath his proper gift from God; one after this manner, and another after that.

8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows, It is good for them that they remain even as I.

But I say to the unmarried, and to the widows: It is good for them if they so continue, even as I.

9 But if they have not control over themselves, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn.

But if they do not contain themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to be burnt.

10 But to the married I enjoin, not I, but the Lord, Let not wife be separated from husband;

But to them that are married, not I but the Lord commandeth, that the wife depart not from her husband.

11 (but if also she shall have been separated, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband; ) and let not husband leave wife.

And if she depart, that she remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband. And let not the husband put away his wife.

12 But as to the rest, I say, not the Lord, If any brother have an unbelieving wife, and she consent to dwell with him, let him not leave her.

For to the rest I speak, not the Lord. If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she consent to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

13 And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to dwell with her, let her not leave [her] husband.

And if any woman hath a husband that believeth not, and he consent to dwell with her, let her not put away her husband.

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother; since [otherwise] indeed your children are unclean, but now they are holy.

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the believing wife; and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the believing husband: otherwise your children should be unclean; but now they are holy.

15 But if the unbeliever go away, let them go away; a brother or a sister is not bound in such [cases], but God has called us in peace.

But if the unbeliever depart, let him depart. For a brother or sister is not under servitude in such cases. But God hath called us in peace.

16 For what knowest thou, O wife, if thou shalt save thy husband? or what knowest thou, O husband, if thou shalt save thy wife?

For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

17 However, as the Lord has divided to each, as God has called each, so let him walk; and thus I ordain in all the assemblies.

But as the Lord hath distributed to every one, as God hath called every one, so let him walk: and so in all churches I teach.

18 Has any one been called circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised: has any one been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

Is any man called, being circumcised? let him not procure uncircumcision. Is any man called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but keeping God's commandments.

Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing: but the observance of the commandments of God.

20 Let each abide in that calling in which he has been called.

Let every man abide in the same calling in which he was called.

21 Hast thou been called [being] a bondman, let it not concern thee; but and if thou canst become free, use [it] rather.

Wast thou called, being a bondman? care not for it; but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

22 For the bondman that is called in [the] Lord is the Lord's freedman; in like manner [also] the freeman being called is Christ's bondman.

For he that is called in the Lord, being a bondman, is the freeman of the Lord. Likewise he that is called, being free, is the bondman of Christ.

23 Ye have been bought with a price; do not be the bondmen of men.

You are bought with a price; be not made the bondslaves of men.

24 Let each, wherein he is called, brethren, therein abide with God.

Brethren, let every man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God.

25 But concerning virgins, I have no commandment of [the] Lord; but I give my opinion, as having received mercy of [the] Lord to be faithful.

Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord; but I give counsel, as having obtained mercy of the Lord, to be faithful.

26 I think then that this is good, on account of the present necessity, that [it is] good for a man to remain so as he is.

I think therefore that this is good for the present necessity, that it is good for a man so to be.

27 Art thou bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed; art thou free from a wife? do not seek a wife.

Art thou bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

28 But if thou shouldest also marry, thou hast not sinned; and if the virgin marry, they have not sinned: but such shall have tribulation in the flesh; but I spare you.

But if thou take a wife, thou hast not sinned. And if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned: nevertheless, such shall have tribulation of the flesh. But I spare you.

29 But this I say, brethren, the time is straitened. For the rest, that they who have wives, be as not having [any]:

This therefore I say, brethren; the time is short; it remaineth, that they also who have wives, be as if they had none;

30 and they that weep, as not weeping; and they that rejoice, as not rejoicing; and they that buy, as not possessing;

And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as if they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;

31 and they that use the world, as not disposing of it as their own; for the fashion of this world passes.

And they that use this world, as if they used it not: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

32 But I wish you to be without care. The unmarried cares for the things of the Lord, how he shall please the Lord;

But I would have you to be without solicitude. He that is without a wife, is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God.

33 but he that has married cares for the things of the world, how he shall please his wife.

But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife: and he is divided.

34 There is a difference between the wife and the virgin. The unmarried cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but she that has married cares for the things of the world, how she shall please her husband.

And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinketh on the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she that is married thinketh on the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

35 But I say this for your own profit; not that I may set a snare before you, but for what [is] seemly, and waiting on the Lord without distraction.

And this I speak for your profit: not to cast a snare upon you; but for that which is decent, and which may give you power to attend upon the Lord, without impediment.

36 But if any one think that he behaves unseemly to his virginity, if he be beyond the flower of his age, and so it must be, let him do what he will, he does not sin: let them marry.

But if any man think that he seemeth dishonoured, with regard to his virgin, for that she is above the age, and it must so be: let him do what he will; he sinneth not, if she marry.

37 But he who stands firm in his heart, having no need, but has authority over his own will, and has judged this in his heart to keep his own virginity, he does well.

For he that hath determined being steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but having power of his own will; and hath judged this in his heart, to keep his virgin, doth well.

38 So that he that marries himself does well; and he that does not marry does better.

Therefore, both he that giveth his virgin in marriage, doth well; and he that giveth her not, doth better.

39 A wife is bound for whatever time her husband lives; but if the husband be fallen asleep, she is free to be married to whom she will, only in [the] Lord.

A woman is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband die, she is at liberty: let her marry to whom she will; only in the Lord.

40 But she is happier if she so remain, according to my judgment; but I think that I also have God's Spirit.

But more blessed shall she be, if she so remain, according to my counsel; and I think that I also have the spirit of God.