Yet we do speak wisdom among those spiritually mature [believers who have teachable hearts and a greater understanding]; but [it is a higher] wisdom not [the wisdom] of this present age nor of the rulers and leaders of this age, who are passing away;

To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are continually poorly dressed, and we are roughly treated, and wander homeless.

Do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, “The two shall be one flesh.”

Now as to the matters of which you wrote: It is good (beneficial, advantageous) for a man not to touch a woman [outside marriage].

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.

The husband must fulfill his [marital] duty to his wife [with good will and kindness], and likewise the wife to her husband.

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.

But to the married [believers] I give instructions—not I, but the Lord—that the wife is not to separate from her husband,

(but even if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to her husband) and that the husband should not leave his wife.

To the rest I declare—I, not the Lord [since Jesus did not discuss this]—that if any [believing] brother has a wife who does not believe [in Christ], and she consents to live with him, he must not leave her.

And if any [believing] woman has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not leave him.

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified [that is, he receives the blessings granted] through his [Christian] wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be [ceremonially] unclean, but as it is they are holy.

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.

But if any man thinks that he is not acting properly and honorably toward his virgin daughter, [by not permitting her to marry], if she is past her youth, and it must be so, let him do as he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry.

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.

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.

But I want you to understand that Christ is the head (authority over) of every man, and man is the head of woman, and God is the head of Christ.

And every woman who prays or prophesies when she has her head uncovered disgraces her head; for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved [in disgrace].

If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, she should cover her head.

Therefore the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head, for the sake of the angels [so as not to offend them].

Judge for yourselves; is it proper for a woman to offer prayer to God [publicly] with her head uncovered?

Does not common sense itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him,

but if a woman has long hair, it is her ornament and glory? For her long hair is given to her as a covering.

For, in the first place, when you meet together in church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and in part I believe it,

But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal].And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love].

If there is anything they want to learn [that is, if they have questions about anything being said or taught], they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to talk in church.

[For that matter] why are we [running such risks and putting ourselves] in danger [nearly] every hour [if there is no resurrection]?