Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy.

I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, namely, that it is good for a man to be as he is.

But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none;

and those that weep, as though they wept not; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those that buy, as though they possessed not;

and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife,

and is divided.'so also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin daughter , if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them marry.

But he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power as touching in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter , shall do well.

So then both he that giveth his own virgin daughter in marriage doeth well; and he that giveth her not in marriage shall do better.

But she is happier if she abide as she is, after my judgment: and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.

If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know;

Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no God but one.

For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;

Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.

Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.

My defence to them that examine me is this.

Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. Is it for the oxen that God careth,

or saith he it assuredly for our sake? Yea, for our sake it was written: because he that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth, to thresh in hope of partaking.

If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

Know ye not that they that minister about sacred things eat of the things of the temple, and they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar?

Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel.

But I have used none of these things: and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for it were good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorifying void.

What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel.

For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.

And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, not being myself under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

to them that are without law, as without law, not being without law to God, but under law to Christ, that I might gain them that are without law.

To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.

And I do all things for the gospel's sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof.

Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain.

And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ.

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.

seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we are all partake of the one bread.

Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar?

What say I then? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

But I say , that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have communion with demons.

Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

If one of them that believe not biddeth you to a feast , and ye are disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience'sake.

But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake:

If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

Now I praise you that ye remember me in all things, and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Judge ye in yourselves: is it seemly that a woman pray unto God unveiled?

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a dishonor to him?

But in giving you this charge, I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better but for the worse.

For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and I partly believe it.

For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you.

What, have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and put them to shame that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you? In this I praise you not.

For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread;

For he that eateth and drinketh, eateth and drinketh judgment unto himself, if he discern not the body.

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

If any man is hungry, let him eat at home; that your coming together be not unto judgment. And the rest will I set in order whensoever I come.

Ye know that when ye were Gentiles ye were led away unto those dumb idols, howsoever ye might led.

Wherefore I make known unto you, that no man speaking in the Spirit of God saith, Jesus is anathema; and no man can say, Jesus is Lord, but in the Holy Spirit.

whereas our comely parts have no need: but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked;

that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things.

Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts , but rather that ye may prophesy.

For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation.

He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me.

So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts , seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.

Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

Else if thou bless with the spirit, how shall he that filleth the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest?

I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all:

howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign , not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe.

If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad?

the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.

If any man speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret:

For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted;

What? was it from you that the word of God went forth? or came it unto you alone?

If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.

For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures;

and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve;

For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Yea, we are found false witnesses of God; because we witnessed of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead are not raised.

Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.

But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming.

The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.

For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him.

And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all.

Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?