1 Corinthians 7:1-24 - Concerning Christian Marriage

¹ Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me, it is good for a man not to touch a woman. ² But, to avoid lewd practices, let every man have his own wife, and every woman her own husband. ³ Let the husband render to the wife that which is due, and likewise, also, the wife to the husband. ⁴ The wife has not power over her own body, but the husband; likewise, also, the husband has not power over his own body, but the wife. ⁵ Debar not one another, unless by agreement for a time, that you may have leisure for prayer; and come together again, lest Satan tempt you through your incontinence. ⁶ But this I say by permission, not by commandment: ⁷ for I could wish that all men were even as I am myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this way, another in that.

⁸ But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It would be good for them, if they remain as I myself. ⁹ But if they can not be continent, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn.

¹⁰ But to the married I give commandment, not I, but the Lord: Let not the wife leave her husband: ¹¹ but if she leave him, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and, let not the husband put away his wife. ¹² But to the rest, I, and not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife that believes not, and she is well pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. ¹³ And if any woman has a husband that believes not, and he is well pleased to dwell with her, let her not put him away. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; for if not, then are your children unclean; but now they are holy. ¹⁵ But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart; the brother or sister is not bound in such cases. But God has called us to live in peace. ¹⁶ For how do you know, wife, but that you may save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, but that you may save your wife?

¹⁷ But as God has assigned a place to every one, as the Lord has called every one, so let him continue to live: and so do I command in all the churches. ¹⁸ Has any one been called that had been circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the mark of circumcision. Has any one been called that had not been circumcised? Let him not be circumcised, ¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God is our aim. ²⁰ Let every one remain in that condition in which he was, when called. ²¹ Were you a servant when you were called? Care not for it. But if you can become free, rather enjoy your freedom. ²² For he that is in the Lord, having been called when a servant, is the Lord's freedman. Likewise, also, the freeman who has been called, is Christ's servant. ²³ You have been bought with a price; become not the servants of men. ²⁴ Brethren, let every one, in whatever condition he is called, abide in this with God.