7 Now concerning the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 However, because of sexual immorality, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should meet his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife her husband’s.  4 A wife does not have authority over her own body, but her husband does; and in the same way a husband does not have authority over his own body, but his wife does.  5 Do not deprive each other, unless it is by consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.  6 This I am saying by way of concession, not command. 7 I wish that everyone was unmarried like me,[1032] but each person has his or her own gift from God; one has this gift, one has another.
    8 But this I say to the unmarried and to the widowed: it is good for them if they remain as I am.  9 But if they do not have self-control, let them get married, because it is better to marry than burn with passion.
    10 But to the married I command — not I, but the lord[1033] — that the wife is not to leave her husband.  11 But if she does leave, she should not marry someone else, but rather be reconciled to her husband; and the husband should not divorce his wife.
    12 But to the rest of you I — not the lord — say: if a believing man has an unbelieving wife and she is content to contiue living with him, he is not to divorce her.  13 And if a woman has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to continue living with her, she should not divorce him.  14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unholy, but as it is they are holy.  15 Yet if the unbeliever leaves, allow it to happen. The brother or sister is not bound[1034] in such cases, but God has called you to live in peace.  16 Wife, how do you know whether you will save your husband? And husband, how do you know whether you will save your wife?
    17 As the lord has assigned to each one, and as God has called each, let them live. This is what I command in all the churches.  18 Was anyone called already circumcised? He is not to try to reverse it. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? He is not to get circumcised.  19 Circumcision means nothing and uncircumcision means nothing,[1035] but what matters is keeping the commandments of God. [1036] 20 Let everyone remain in the condition in which they were called.
    21 Were you called when you were a slave? Do not let that trouble you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, take it. 22 For the person who is called in the lord while a slave is the lord’s free man. In the same way the person who is called while free is Messiah’s slave. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of anyone.  24 Brothers and sisters, in whatever condition you were when you were called, remain in that condition with God.
    25 Now concerning virgins, I have no command from the lord, but I do give my opinion as one who by the mercy of the lord is trustworthy.  26 I think that because of the distressing time we are currently living in, it is good to remain just as you are. 27 Are you married? Do not seek to be freed. Are you unmarried? Do not seek to be married.  28 But if you marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But you will have difficulty in this life, and I want to spare you this. 29 I say this, brothers and sisters: the time is short, and from now on those who are married should be as though they were unmarried, 30 and those who weep as though they did not weep, and those who rejoice as if they did not rejoice, and those who buy as though they did not own possessions, 31 and those who use the world as though they did not use it to the full, because the form of this present world[1037] is passing away.
    32 I want you to be free from worries. He who is unmarried is concerned with the things of the lord, and how he may please the lord. 33 But a man who is married is concerned about the things of the world, and how he may please his wife. 34 As a result his devotion is divided. A widow or a virgin is concerned with the things of the lord, in order to be holy both in body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned with the things of the world, and how she may please her husband. 35 This I say for your own benefit, not to limit you, but to promote what is appropriate, ensuring devotion to the lord without distraction.
    36 If a man thinks he is behaving inappropriately in regard to his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth and if it seems necessary, he is not sinning by letting her marry. [1038] 37 But the one who stands firm in his purpose, having no urgency but power over his own will, and is determined in his own heart to keep his daughter unmarried, he does well. 38 So the man who gives his daughter in marriage does well, and the one who does not give her in marriage does better.
    39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he is living. But if her husband falls asleep in death, she is free to marry whomever she wishes, but only if he is in the lord. [1039] 40 But in my opinion she would be happier if she stays as she is, and I think that I too have the spirit of God.