Concerning Christian Marriage
1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
1 Now in response to the matters you wrote(a) about: “It is good for a man not to have relations with(b) a woman.”(c)
1 Now about what you asked: "Is it advisable for a man not to marry?"
1 Now as to the matters of which you wrote: It is good (beneficial, advantageous) for a man not to touch a woman [outside marriage].
2 But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband.
2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
2 But because sexual immorality is so common,(d)(A) each man should have his own wife,(B) and each woman should have her own husband.
2 Because sexual immorality is so rampant, every man should have his own wife, and every woman should have her own husband.
2 But because of [the temptation to participate in] sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
3 A husband should fulfill his marital responsibility(C) to his wife, and likewise a wife to her husband.
3 A husband should fulfill his obligation to his wife, and a wife should do the same for her husband.
3 The husband must fulfill his [marital] duty to his wife [with good will and kindness], and likewise the wife to her husband.
4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
4 A wife does not have the right over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband does not have the right over his own body, but his wife does.
4 A wife does not have authority over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband doesn't have authority over his own body, but his wife does.
4 The wife does not have [exclusive] authority over her own body, but the husband shares with her; and likewise the husband does not have [exclusive] authority over his body, but the wife shares with him.
5 (B)Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and (b)come together again so that (C)Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
5 Do not deprive(D) one another sexually—except when you agree for a time, to devote yourselves to(e) prayer. Then come together again; otherwise, Satan may tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
5 Do not withhold yourselves from each other unless you agree to do so just for a set time, in order to devote yourselves to prayer. Then you should come together again so that Satan does not tempt you through your lack of self-control.
5 Do not deprive each other [of marital rights], except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves [unhindered] to prayer, but come together again so that Satan will not tempt you [to sin] because of your lack of self-control.
7 (c)Yet I wish that all men were (E)even as I myself am. However, (F)each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.
7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
7 I wish that all people were just like me. But each has his own gift(E) from God, one person in this way and another in that way.
7 I would like everyone to be unmarried, like I am. However, each person has a special gift from God, one this and another that.
7 I wish that all the people were as I am; but each person has his own gift from God, one of this kind and one of that.
A Word To The Unmarried
9 But if they do not have self-control, (I)let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
9 But if they do not have self-control,(G) they should marry, for it is better to marry(H) than to burn with desire.
9 However, if they cannot control themselves, they should get married, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
9 But if they do not have [sufficient] self-control, they should marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
About Married People
10 But to the married I give instructions, (J)not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not (d)leave her husband
10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
10 To married people I give this command (not really I, but the Lord): A wife must not leave her husband.
11 (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not (e)divorce his wife.
11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
11 But if she does leave, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband—and a husband is not to leave his wife.(J)
11 But if she does leave him, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. Likewise, a husband must not abandon his wife.
12 But to the rest (K)I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not (f)divorce her.
12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
12 But I (not the Lord)(h) say to the rest: If any brother(K) has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not leave her.
12 I (not the Lord) say to the rest of you: If a brother has a wife who is an unbeliever and she is willing to live with him, he must not abandon her.
13 And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not (g)send her husband away.
13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
13 Also, if any woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not leave her husband.
13 And if a woman has a husband who is an unbeliever and he is willing to live with her, she must not abandon him.
13 And if any [believing] woman has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not leave him.
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through (h)her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are (L)holy.
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
14 For the unbelieving husband is set apart for God(L) by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is set apart for God by the husband.(i) Otherwise your children would be corrupt, but now they are set apart for God.
14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified because of her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.
15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called (i)us (j)(M)to peace.
15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you(j) to live in peace.
15 But if the unbelieving partner leaves, let him go. In such cases the brother or sister is not under obligation. God has called you to live in peace.
16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will (N)save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?
16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
16 For you, wife, how do you know whether you will save your husband? Or you, husband, how do you know whether you will save your wife?
16 Wife, you might be able to save your husband. Husband, you might be able to save your wife.
16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband [by leading him to Christ]? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife [by leading her to Christ]?
Various Situations Of Life
17 Only, (O)as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And (P)so I direct in (Q)all the churches.
17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
17 However, each one must live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called(M) him.(k) This is what I command in all the churches.
17 Nevertheless, everyone should live the life that the Lord gave him and to which God called him. This is my rule in all the churches.
17 Only, let each one live the life which the Lord has assigned him, and to which God has called him [for each person is unique and is accountable for his choices and conduct, let him walk in this way]. This is the rule I make in all the churches.
18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? (R)He is not to be circumcised.
18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
18 Was anyone already circumcised when he was called? He should not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised.
18 Was anyone circumcised when he was called? He should not try to change that. Was anyone uncircumcised when he was called? He should not get circumcised.
19 (S)Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is (T)the keeping of the commandments of God.
19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
19 Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter, but keeping God’s commands does.
19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but obeying God's commandments is everything.
19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is keeping the commandments of God.
21 Were you called while a slave? (l)Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather (m)do that.
21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
21 Were you called while a slave? It should not be a concern to you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity.(m)
21 Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let that bother you. Of course, if you have a chance to become free, take advantage of the opportunity.
22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is (V)the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is (W)Christ’s slave.
22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
22 For he who is called by the Lord as a slave(N) is the Lord’s freedman.(n) Likewise he who is called as a free man(o) is Christ’s slave.
22 For the slave who has been called to belong to the Lord is the Lord's free person. In the same way, the free person who has been called is the Messiah's slave.
22 For he who was a slave when he was called in the Lord is a freedman of the Lord, likewise he who was free when he was called is a slave of Christ.
24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
24 Brothers, each person should remain with God in whatever situation he was called.
24 Brothers, everyone should stay in the same condition in which he was called by God.
24 Brothers, let each one remain with God in that condition in which he was [when he was] called.
Concerning The Unmarried
25 Now concerning virgins I have (Z)no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who (n)(AA)by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy.
25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
25 About virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I do give an opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy(P) is trustworthy.(Q)
25 Now concerning virgins, although I do not have any command from the Lord, I will give you my opinion as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.
25 Now concerning the virgins [of marriageable age] I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
26 I think then that this is good in view of the (o)present (AB)distress, that (AC)it is good for a man (p)to remain as he is.
26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
26 Therefore I consider this to be good because of the present distress: It is fine for a man to remain as he is.
26 In view of the present crisis, I think it is prudent for a man to stay as he is.
26 I think then that because of the impending distress [that is, the pressure of the current trouble], it is good for a man to remain as he is.
27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
27 Have you become committed to a wife? Stop trying to get released from your commitment. Have you been freed from your commitment to a wife? Stop looking for one.
28 But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have (q)trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.
28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
28 However, if you do get married,(R) you have not sinned, and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But such people will have trouble in this life,(p) and I am trying to spare you.
28 But if you do get married, you have not sinned. And if a virgin gets married, she has not sinned. However, these people will experience trouble in this life, and I want to spare you from that.
28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned [in doing so]; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned [in doing so]. Yet those [who marry] will have troubles (special challenges) in this life, and I am trying to spare you that.
29 But this I say, brethren, (AD)the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none;
29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
29 And I say this, brothers: The time is limited,(S) so from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none,
29 This is what I mean, brothers: The time is short. From now on, those who have wives should live as though they had none,
30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess;
30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
30 those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice(T) as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess,
30 and those who mourn as though they did not mourn, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they did not own a thing,
30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess [anything];
31 and those who use the world, as though they did not (AE)make full use of it; for (AF)the form of this world is passing away.
31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
31 and those who use the world as though they did not make full use of it. For this world in its current form is passing away.(U)
31 and those who use the things in the world as though they were not dependent on them. For the world in its present form is passing away.
31 and those who use the world [taking advantage of its opportunities], as though they did not make full use of it. For the outward form of this world [its present social and material nature] is passing away.
32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is (AG)unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;
32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
32 I want you to be without concerns. An unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord—how he may please(V) the Lord.
32 I want you to be free from concerns. An unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, that is, about how he can please the Lord.
32 But I want you to be free from concern. The unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;
33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife,
33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
33 But a married man is concerned about the things of the world—how he may please his wife—
33 But a married man is concerned about things of this world, that is, about how he can please his wife,
33 but the married man is concerned about worldly things, how he may please his wife,
34 and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord,(W) so that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.
34 and so his attention is divided.
34 and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or the virgin is concerned about the matters of the Lord, how to be holy and set apart both in body and in spirit; but a married woman is concerned about worldly things, how she may please her husband.
35 This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but (r)to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.
35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
35 Now I am saying this for your own benefit, not to put a restraint on you, but because of what is proper and so that you may be devoted to the Lord without distraction.
35 An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the affairs of the Lord, so that she may be holy in body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, that is, about how she can please her husband. I'm saying this for your benefit, not to put a noose around your necks, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord.
35 Now I say this for your own benefit; not to restrict you, but to promote what is appropriate and secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.
36 But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let (s)her marry.
36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
36 But if any man thinks he is acting improperly toward his virgin,(q) if she is past marriageable age,(r) and so it must be, he can do what he wants. He is not sinning; they can get married.
36 If a man thinks he is not behaving properly toward his virgin, and if his passion is so strong that he feels he ought to marry her, let him do what he wants; he isn't sinning. Let them get married.
37 But he who stands firm in his heart, (t)being under no constraint, but has authority (u)over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well.
37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
37 But he who stands firm in his heart (who is under no compulsion, but has control over his own will(X)) and has decided in his heart to keep his own virgin, will do well.
37 However, if a man stands firm in his resolve, feels no necessity, and has made up his mind to keep her a virgin, he will be acting appropriately.
37 But the man who stands firmly committed in his heart, having no compulsion [to yield to his daughter’s request], and has authority over his own will, and has decided in his own heart to keep his own virgin [daughter from being married], he will do well.
38 So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.
38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
38 So then the man who marries the virgin acts appropriately, but the man who refrains from marriage does even better.
38 So then both the father who gives his virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.
39 (AH)A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband (v)is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only (AI)in the Lord.
39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
39 A wife is bound(u) as long as her husband is living. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to anyone she wants—only in the Lord.(v)
39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, only in the Lord.
39 A wife is bound [to her husband by law] as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry whomever she wishes, only [provided that he too is] in the Lord.
40 But (AJ)in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
40 But she is happier if she remains as she is, in my opinion. And I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
40 However, in my opinion she will be happier if she stays as she is. And in saying this, I think that I, too, have God's Spirit.
40 But in my opinion a widow is happier if she stays as she is. And I think that I also have the Spirit of God [in this matter].