1 Corinthians 7

1Now about the things you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.

2But because there is so much sexual sin, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.

3The husband should give his wife what he owes her, and the wife should do the same for her husband.

4The wife does not have full rights over her own body; her husband does. In the same way, the husband does not have full rights over his own body; his wife does.

5Do not refuse to give your body to each other. You may only separate if you both agree. You may do this for a short time to pray. Afterward, come back together again. Do not let Satan tempt you because of weak self-control!

6I say this as a suggestion, not as a command.

7I wish everyone were like me. But each person has their own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

8To those who are not married, and to widows, I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am.

9If they cannot control their passions, they should marry. It is far better to marry than to burn with lustful desires!

10To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not leave her husband.

11But if she does, she must stay unmarried or else make peace with her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

12To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): Suppose a believing man has an unbelieving wife. If she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.

13And if a believing woman has a husband who does not believe, and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.

14The unbelieving husband receives God's blessing through his believing wife. And the unbelieving wife receives blessing through her believing husband. Otherwise, your children would be outside God's care. Instead, God accepts your children as holy.

15But if the one who does not believe wants to leave, let that person leave. In such cases the believing brother or sister is not bound. God has called us to live in peace.

16After all, wife, how do you know that you will save your husband? And husband, how do you know that you will save your wife?

17Each person should live the life the Lord has given them, the life they were in when God called them. This is the rule I give in all the churches.

18Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not try to undo it. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not get circumcised.

19Being circumcised means nothing, and being uncircumcised means nothing. What matters is obeying God's commands.

20Each person should stay in the situation they were in when God called them.

21Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it trouble you. But if you can gain your freedom, take the chance.

22For the one who was a slave when the Lord called them is now the Lord's free person. And the one who was free when they were called is now Christ's slave.

23You were bought for a price; do not become slaves of other people.

24Brothers and sisters, each person should stay with God in the situation they were in when God called them.

25Now about those who have never married: I have no command from the Lord. But I give my opinion. The Lord, in His mercy, has made me trustworthy.

26Because of the troubles of the present time, I think it is good for a person to stay as they are.

27Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife.

28But if you do marry, you have not sinned. And if a young woman marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you that.

29Brothers and sisters, the time left is very short! Do not let marriage take your focus away from the Lord.

30If you weep, do not be crushed by your sorrow. If you are happy, do not focus only on earthly joy. If you buy goods, remember you cannot take them with you!

31Do not cling tightly to the things of this world. This present world is quickly passing away!

32I want you to be free from worry. An unmarried man cares about the Lord's work and how to please the Lord.

33But a married man cares about the things of this world and how to please his wife.

34So his interests are divided. An unmarried woman focuses on the work of the Lord. She wants to be holy in both body and spirit. A married woman focuses on everyday matters of this life. Her main goal is to please her husband.

35I am saying this for your own good. I am not trying to hold you back. I want you to live in a right way. I want you to give yourselves fully to the Lord without distraction.

36Suppose an engaged man worries he treats his fiancee unfairly right now. If his physical desires burn strongly, he should proceed as he wishes. Marrying each other is completely proper and involves no sin at all.

37But suppose a man has settled it in his own heart. He is under no pressure and has control over his own will. If he has decided not to marry her, he also does well.

38So the one who marries the young woman does well, and the one who does not marry her does even better.

39A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only in the Lord.

40In my opinion, she is happier if she stays as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.