1 Korintiana 7

1 Ary ny amin’ ireo zavatra nosoratanareo, dia tsara amin’ ny lehilahy raha tsy mikasi-behivavy akory.

Now [I will reply to] the things that you wrote to me about. It is good for people not to get married.

2 Anefa noho ny fijangajangana dia aoka ny lehilahy rehetra samy hanana ny vadiny avy, ary aoka koa ny vehivavy rehetra samy hanana ny vadiny avy.

But because many people are committing sexual immorality, [which God detests], every man should have his own wife [with whom he can have sexual relations], and every woman should have her own husband [with whom she can have sexual relations].

3 Aoka ny lahy hanao izay mety hatao amin’ ny vavy; ary mba toy izany koa ny vavy amin’ ny lahy.

Every man must continue having sexual relations [EUP] with his wife, and every woman must continue having sexual relations with her husband.

4 Ny vavy tsy manam-pahefana amin’ ny tenany, fa ny lahy; ary mba toy izany koa ny lahy tsy manam-pahefana amin’ ny tenany, fa ny vavy.

A man’s wife does not have the right over her own body [to be the only one to decide about having sexual relations with her husband]. Instead, her husband also has a right [to decide about that]. Similarly, a woman’s husband does not have the right over his own body [to be the only one to decide about having sexual relations with his wife]. Instead, his wife also has a right [to decide about that].

5 Aza misara-pandriana ianareo, raha tsy amin’ izay andro sasany ifanekenareo ho andro hivavahana, nefa mbola hiraisanareo fandriana indray, mba tsy hakan’ i Satana fanahy anareo noho ny tsi-faharetanareo.

You may refuse [to have sexual relations with] each other [EUP] only if you both first agree to do that for a short time, in order that you may both have more time to pray. Then after that, begin having sexual relations again [EUP] in order that Satan will not be able to persuade you [to have sex with someone else] because you are unable to control your sexual desires.

6 Fandeferana anefa no anaovako izany, fa tsy mandidy aho.

I am telling you these things to say that [God] allows [you to get married, but he] does not say that you must [get married].

7 Fa tiako ho tahaka ahy ny olona rehetra; kanefa samy manana izay fanomezam-pahasoavana nomen’ Andriamanitra ary avy, ka ny anankiray toy izao, ary ny anankiray toy izao kosa.

I myself wish that all people would stay [unmarried/single], as I am. But God has enabled each person to live in ways that seem right for them. He has enabled some people to [live without getting married], and he has enabled other people to [get married].

8 Fa hoy izaho amin’ ny tsy manam-bady sy ny mpitondratena kosa: Tsara aminy raha mitoetra tahaka ahy izy.

Now I want to say this to you unmarried people and to you whose spouses have died: It would be good for you to remain [unmarried] as I am.

9 Nefa raha tsy maharitra izy, dia aoka hanam-bady ihany; fa tsara ny manam-bady noho ny ho maimay.

But if you cannot control your [sexual desires] [EUP], you should get married. It is better to be married [so that you can satisfy your sexual desires with your spouse] than to constantly have a strong desire [EUP] [for sexual relations].

10 Ary ny manam-bady dia didiako, nefa tsy izaho, fa ny Tompo: Aoka tsy hiala amin’ ny lahy ny vavy,

And now I will give a command for [believers who are] married. This is not a command from me alone; it also comes from the Lord Jesus. You married women must not (separate from/divorce) your husbands!

11 (nefa raha misy efa niala, dia aoka hitoetra tsy manam-bady, na aoka hody amin’ ny lahy); ary ny lahy aoka tsy hiala amin’ ny vavy.

But if any of you do that, you must remain unmarried, or else you should be reconciled with your husband [and live with him again]. Similarly, men must not (separate from/divorce) their wives.

12 Fa amin’ ny sisa, dia hoy izaho, fa tsy ny Tompo: Raha misy rahalahy manam-bady tsy mino, ary mety mitoetra aminy ihany ny vavy, dia aoka tsy hialany izy.

Now I say this to the rest of you, [to those who became believers after they were married. This is what] I [am saying], not what the Lord [has commanded]. If someone has a wife who is not a believer, if she is willing to keep living with him, he must not divorce her.

13 Ary raha misy vehivavy manam-bady tsy mino, ka mety mitoetra aminy ihany ny lahy, dia aoka tsy hialany izy.

Similarly, if a woman has a husband who is not a believer, if he is willing to keep living with her, she must not divorce him.

14 Fa ny lahy tsy mino dia efa masìna ao amin’ ny vavy ary ny vavy tsy mino dia efa masìna ao amin’ ny rahalahy; raha tsy izany kosa, dia tsy madio ny zanakareo; fa raha izany, dia masìna izy.

[I say that] because God has set apart every woman’s unbelieving husband [for himself] because of his wife [being a believer], and God has set apart every man’s unbelieving wife [for himself] because of her husband [being a believer]. If that were not true, [God would consider] their children unacceptable. But, the fact is that [God does consider] them acceptable to him.

15 Fa raha ny tsy mino no miala, aoka hiala izy. Na rahalahy na anabavy dia tsy voafehy amin’ izany; fa Andriamanitra efa niantso antsika amin’ ny fihavanana.

However, if a woman’s husband who is not a believer or a man’s wife who is not a believer wants to leave, let [him or her] do so. The husband or wife who is a believer should not force the other one to stay. God has chosen us in order that we may live peacefully.

16 Fa ahoana moa no ahafantaranao, ravehivavy, na hovonjenao ny vadinao, na tsia? Ary ahoana no ahafantaranao, ralehilahy, na hovonjenao ny vadinao, na tsia?

[You women believers should allow your unbelieving spouses to leave you if they want to], because there is no way that you can be sure that God will save your husband if you stay together [RHQ] (OR, perhaps God will save your husband if you stay together.) Similarly, you men [who are believers], there is no way that you can be sure that God will save your wives if you stay together [RHQ] (OR, perhaps God will save your wives if you stay together.)

17 Kanefa aoka ny olona rehetra samy handeha araka izay anjarany nomen’ ny Tompo azy sy araka ny niantsoan’ Andriamanitra azy avy. Ary izany no andidiako ao amin’ ny fiangonana rehetra.

However, each person should continue in the status that the Lord gave him, the status that he had when the Lord called him [to belong to him]. That is the rule that I tell people in all the congregations [where I speak].

18 Misy nantsoina voafora va? Aoka izy tsy hovana ho tsy voafora. Misy antsoina tsy voafora va? Aoka izy tsy hoforana.

If a man had already been circumcised [RHQ] when he became a Christian, he should not [try to pretend that he is not] circumcised. If a man had not been circumcised [RHQ] before he became a Christian, he should not become circumcised.

19 Tsinontsinona ny famorana, ary tsinontsinona ny tsi-famorana; fa ny mitandrina ny didin’ Andriamanitra no izy.

[You should not try to change your status that way], because it means nothing [to God] whether someone is circumcised or not. What is important is that we obey what God has commanded.

20 Aoka ny olona rehetra samy hitoetra eo amin’ izay toetra efa niantsoana azy ihany.

[Generally], each person should remain in the status that he had when he became a Christian.

21 Nantsoina va ianao raha mbola mpanompo? Aoka tsy hampaninona anao izany; nefa raha misy hahafahanao, aleo izany.

If one of you was a slave when you [(sg)] became a Christian [RHQ], do not be concerned about it. However, if you get an opportunity to be free, do [what you need to do to become free].

22 Fa ny andevo izay voantso ao amin’ ny Tompo dia olona afaka an’ ny Tompo; toy izany koa, ny olona afaka izay voantso dia mpanompon’ i Kristy.

[Do not worry about your previously being a slave], because those who were slaves before they became Christians, the Lord has freed them [from Satan’s control]. Similarly, those who were not slaves before they became Christians, [it is as though] [MET] they are Christ’s slaves [because they must do what he tells them to do] [MET].

23 Fa olom-boavidy ianareo, ka aza mety ho andevon’ olona.

[Christ] paid a price to buy you [when he died for you]. So do not [act as if you are evil people’s] slaves [by doing the evil things that they tell you to do].

24 Ry rahalahy, aoka ny olona rehetra samy hitoetra amin’ Andriamanitra ao amin’ izay niantsoana azy avy.

My fellow believers, [I repeat that in general] each believer, being in fellowship with God, should continue in the status that he had before he became a Christian.

25 Fa ny amin’ ny virijina dia tsy manana didy avy amin’ ny Tompo aho; nefa ataoko izay hevitro tahaka izay niantran’ ny Tompo ahy ho mahatoky.

Now [I will answer your question] about women who have never married. There is nothing that the Lord has commanded me [to write about them], but I am writing this to tell you what I think [is best], because the Lord [Jesus] has mercifully enabled me to [say] what is reliable.

26 Koa izao no ataoko fa tsara amin’ ny olona noho ny fahoriana miseho ankehitriny, dia ny mitoetra toy izao ihany.

There are a lot of distressing events [happening] now (OR, that will soon happen), so I think that it is better for people to remain in the marital status that they now have.

27 Manam-bady va ianao? Aza mitady izay hisarahana. Tsy manam-bady va ianao? Aza mitady vady.

If any of you [men] are married [RHQ], do not try to divorce your wife. If any of you are unmarried [RHQ], do not seek a wife.

28 Nefa na dia hanam-bady aza ianao, dia tsy manota tsy akory; ary na dia hanam-bady aza ny virijina, dia tsy manota izy. Kanefa kosa hanam-pahoriana amin’ ny nofo ireny; fa izaho miantra anareo.

But if [any of] you [men] get married, you have not committed a sin [by doing that]. Likewise, if an unmarried woman gets married, she has not committed a sin [by doing that]. However, those who get married will have many troubles, [so I am urging you to remain unmarried in order that] you may not experience [such troubles].

29 Fa izao no lazaiko, ry rahalahy: Efa fohy ny andro, mba ho toy ny tsy manam-bady ny manana amin’ izao sisa izao;

My fellow believers, this is what I mean: There is not much time left [before Christ returns]. So, from now on those men who are married should [devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they were not married.

30 ary mba ho toy izay tsy mitomany ny mitomany; ary mba ho toy izay tsy mifaly ny mifaly; ary mba ho toy izay tsy mahazo ny mividy;

Those who are sad should [devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they were not sad. Those who are rejoicing [should devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they were not joyful.

31 ary mba ho toy izay tsy mahavatra izao fiainana izao loatra ny mahavatra azy, fa mandalo ny fanaon’ izao fiainana izao.

Those who are buying things should [devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they did not possess those things. Because this world as it exists now will soon be gone, those who are actively involved in the affairs of this life [should not devote all their time] to be involved in those things.

32 Fa tiako tsy ho maro ahina ianareo. Izay tsy manam-bady dia miahy ny an’ ny Tompo mba hahafaly ny Tompo.

[Another reason why] I [encourage you to remain unmarried is that] I desire that none of you be anxious [about the everyday affairs of this life]. Unmarried men are [able to be primarily] concerned about serving the Lord Jesus and trying to please him.

33 Fa izay manam-bady kosa miahy ny an’ izao fiainana izao mba hahafaly ny vavy.

But married men are [often] greatly concerned about the affairs of this life. Specifically, they are concerned about pleasing their wives.

34 Ary tsy mitovy koa ny vehivavy manam-bady sy ny virijina. Ny vehivavy tsy manam-bady mitandrina ny an’ ny Tompo, mba ho samy masìna avokoa ny tenany sy ny fanahiny; fa izay manam-bady kosa dia mitandrina ny an’ izao fiainana izao mba hahafaly ny lahy.

So their thinking is divided. Unmarried women are [able to be] concerned about serving the Lord. They want to set apart their minds and their bodies for serving the Lord. But married women are [often] concerned about the affairs of this life. Specifically, they are concerned about how to please their husbands.

35 Ary miteny izany aho mba hahasoa anareo, fa tsy haningotra anareo amin’ ny tadivavarana, fa mba hanaovanareo izay miendrika sy hitoeranareo tsara amin’ ny Tompo, ka tsy hivezivezen’ ny sainareo.

I am telling you this for your own good. I am not saying it in order to restrict you. Instead, I am saying it in order that you may do what is proper and be able to serve the Lord without being distracted {things distracting you}.

36 Fa raha misy mihevitra fa tsy mety ny fitondrany ny zananivavy virijina, satria mihoatra noho ny taona tokony anambadian’ ny zanany, ka tsy maintsy hisy izany, dia aoka izy hanao izay sitrapony, tsy manota izy; aoka hanam-bady izy.

[Some of you men have asked about your unmarried daughters]. [I suggest that] if any man thinks that he may be treating his daughter unfairly [by keeping her from marrying], and if it is already past [the right] time for her to get married, and if he thinks that she ought to be married, he should do what he wants to do. He should let her get married. He will not be sinning [by doing that].

37 Fa raha misy kosa efa mikasa tsara ao am-pony, sady tsy misy mahatery azy, fa mahazo manaraka ny safidiny ka ninia tao am-pony hiaro ny zananivavy virijina, dia hanao tsara izy.

But if a man feels absolutely sure [that it is better that his daughter not get married], and if nothing is forcing [her to get married], and if he is free to do what he decides to do on the matter, if he decides that his daughter should not get married, he is doing what is right in [keeping her from marrying].

38 Ka izay manome ny zanany virijina hampakarina dia manao tsara, ary izay tsy manome azy hampakarina no manao tsaratsara kokoa.

So any man who decides that his daughter should get married is doing what is good, but if he decides that she should not get married, he is doing something even better. (OR, [Some of you men have asked about the women to whom you are engaged to marry]. If any man thinks that he may be treating that woman unfairly [by not marrying her], and if it is already past [the right] time for her to get married, and if he wants to marry her very much, he should do what he wants to do. He should marry her. He will not be sinning [by doing that]. But if a man feels absolutely sure [that it is better] for him not to get married, and if nothing is forcing [them to get married], if he is free to make his own decision on the matter, if he decides not to get married, he is doing what is right. So any man who decides that he should get married to the woman he is engaged to is doing what is good, but if he decides that he should not get married, he is doing something even better.)

39 Ny vavy voafehin’ ny lalàna, raha mbola velona ny lahy; fa raha maty kosa ny lahy, dia afaka hanam-bady izay tiany izy, nefa ao amin’ ny Tompo ihany.

Women must remain married to their husbands while their husbands are still alive. But if a woman’s husband dies, she is free to marry any [unmarried] man whom she wants to marry, but he must belong to the Lord.

40 Nefa raha araka ny hevitro, sambatra kokoa izy raha mitoetra toy izao ihany; ary ataoko fa izaho koa manana ny Fanahin’ Andriamanitra.

However, I think that she will be happier if she does not marry again. And I believe that the Spirit of God is [directing] me [as I say that].