1 Corinthians 7:25-40 - Concerning The Unmarried
25 Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord; but I offer my opinion, as having obtained mercy from the Lord to be faithful. 26 I think then that this is becoming, considering our present straits, that it is proper for a man to be thus. 27 Art thou bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 28 But if thou shouldst marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned; though such will have tribulation in the flesh; but I spare you. 29 Now this I say, brethren, that the time is short. The conclusion is, that even they who have wives, should be as though they had not; 30 and they who weep as though they wept not; and they who rejoice as though they rejoiced not; and they that purchase as though they possessed not; 31 and they who use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
32 But I would have you to be free from anxiety. He who is unmarried is anxious for the things of the Lord, how he shall please the Lord: 33 but he who is married is anxious about the things of the world, how he shall please his wife. 34 A wife and a virgin hath different pursuits: the unmarried woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about the things of the world, how she shall please her husband. 35 Now I say this for your own advantage, and not that I should lay a snare in your way, but as what is seemly, and that you may wait on the Lord without distraction.
36 But if a person supposes it would be unseemly for a virgin of his if she should pass the flower of her age [in celibacy], and that duty directs it should be so, let him do as he is inclined, he doth not sin: let such marry. 37 But he that is stedfast in his heart, not having any necessity, but retaineth power over his own inclination, and hath determined this in his heart that he will preserve his own virgin state, doeth well. 38 Wherefore though he who giveth in marriage doeth well, yet he who avoids a matrimonial connection, doeth better.
39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth: but if her husband be dead, she is free to be married to whomsoever she will, but only in the Lord. 40 But she is more blessed if she abide as she is, in my opinion: and I think I have the spirit of God.