1Cor 7 | ABEn | STEP | But concerning what you wrote to me; It is good for a man [ 2 a woman 1 to not touch].

1 Corinthians 7

CHAPTER 7 Concerning Marriage

1 But concerning what you wrote to me; It is good for a man [²a woman ¹to not touch]. 2 But because of the harlotries, [²each man ⁴his own ⁵wife ¹let ³have], and [²each woman ⁴her own ⁵husband ¹let ³have]! 3 [⁵to the ⁶wife ²the ³husband ⁷the ⁹owed ⁸good-will ¹Let ⁴render], and in like manner also the wife to the husband! 4 The wife [³her own ⁴body ¹does not ²exercise authority over], but the husband. And in like manner also the husband [³his own ⁴body ¹does not ²exercise authority over], but the wife. 5 Do not deprive one another, except for harmony's sake for a time, that you should relax in the fasting and prayer! and again at the same time you should come together, that [²should not ³test ⁴you ¹Satan] because of your intemperance. 6 But this I say according to allowance, not according to command. 7 For I want all men to be as even myself; but each [²his own ³favor ¹has] from God; one so, and another so. 8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows; [²good ³for them ¹it is] if they remain as even I. 9 But if they do not control themselves, let them marry! [³better ¹For ²it is] to marry than to be set on fire. 10 And to the ones being married I exhort, not I, but the Lord, that a wife [³from ⁴a husband ¹not ²separate]. 11 But if even she should separate, let her remain unmarried, or [²to the ³husband ¹be reconciled]! and a man's wife is not to be let go. 12 And to the rest I say, not the Lord; if any brother [³wife ¹has ²an unbelieving], and she assents to live with him, he is not to leave her! 13 And a woman who has [²husband ¹an unbelieving], and he assents to live with her, she is not to leave him! 14 [⁵is sanctified ¹For ⁴husband ²the ³unbelieving] by the wife; and [⁴is sanctified ³wife ¹the ²unbelieving] by the husband; since then your children are unclean, but now it is holy. 15 But if the unbeliever separates, let him be separated! [³is not ⁴enslaved ¹the ²brother], or the sister in such cases. But in peace [²has called ³us ¹God]. 16 For what do you know, O wife, if [²the ³husband ¹you shall deliver]? Or what do you know, O husband, if [²the ³wife ¹you shall deliver]?

Abiding in the Call

17 Except to each as God portioned, each as [³called ¹the ²Lord] so walk! And so in [²the ³assemblies ¹all] I set an order. 18 [³while being circumcised ¹Who ²is called], let him not become uncircumcised! [³in ⁴uncircumcision ¹Who ²is called], let him not be circumcised! 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is. 20 Each in the calling in which he was called -- in this let him abide! 21 A slave being called -- let it not be a care; but if even you are able [²free ¹to be] rather -- use it! 22 For the [³in ⁴the Lord ²being called ¹slave ⁷freedman ⁶the Lord's ⁵is]. In like manner also the free one being called, [³slave ¹is ²Christ's]. 23 With value you were bought; do not become slaves of men! 24 Each in which he was called, brethren, in this abide with God!

Concerning the Unmarried

25 And concerning the virgins, [³a command ⁴of the Lord ¹I do not ²have], but an opinion I give as one being shown mercy by the Lord to be trustworthy. 26 I think then this [²is good ¹existing] because of the present necessity, that it is good for a man so to be. 27 Have you been tied to a wife, do not seek a loosening! Have you been untied from a wife, do not seek a wife! 28 But if also you should marry, you sinned not; and if [³should have married ¹the ²virgin] she did not sin; but affliction in the flesh [²shall have ¹such]. But I spare you. 29 But this I say, brethren, the [²time ⁴wrapping up ¹remaining ³is], that also the ones having wives, [²as ³not ⁴having ¹should be]. 30 And the ones weeping, as not weeping; and the ones rejoicing, as not rejoicing; and the ones buying, as not holding possessions. 31 And the ones dealing in this world, as not abusing it. [⁵passes by ¹For ²the ³condition ⁴of this world]. 32 But I want you to be free from care. The unmarried is anxious for the things of the Lord, how he is pleasing to the Lord; 33 but the one married is anxious for the things of the world, how he pleases the wife. 34 [⁶are assigned a part ⁷even ¹The ²wife ³and ⁴the ⁵virgin]. The unmarried is anxious for the things of the Lord, that she might be holy, both in body and in spirit; but she having married is anxious for the things of the world, how she shall please the husband. 35 But this for your own advantage I speak, not that [²a noose ¹I should put] around you, but [²to ³the ⁴decent ⁵and ⁶well-occupied thing ⁷with the ⁸Lord ¹be undisturbed]. 36 But if anyone [²to be disgraced ³over ⁴his virgin ¹thinks], if she should be advanced in years, and so it ought to be what he wants to do, he does not sin; let them marry! 37 But the one who stands settled in the heart, not having necessity, [³authority ¹but ²has] concerning his own will, and this he has judged in his heart, to give heed to his own virgin, well he does. 38 So that also the one giving in marriage, [²well ¹does]; and the one not giving in marriage, [²better ¹does]. 39 A wife is tied by law for as long a time [²lives ¹as her husband]; but if [²should sleep ¹her husband], she is free to whom she wants to marry, only in the Lord. 40 But more blessed is she if so she should remain, according to my opinion; but I think I also [²spirit ³of God ¹have].