As concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord: yet give I counsel as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. I suppose that it is good for the present necessity. For it is good for a man so to be. Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife. read more.
But and if thou take a wife, thou sinnest not. Likewise if a virgin marry, she sinneth not. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in their flesh: but I saver you. This say I, brethren: the time is short. It remaineth that they which have wives, be as though they had none: and they that weep, be as though they wept not: and they that rejoice, be as though they rejoiced not: And they that buy, be as though they possessed not: And they that use this world, be as though they used it not: For the fashion of this world goeth away. I would have you without care; the single man careth for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord: but he that hath married, careth for the things of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference between a virgin and a wife. The single woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be pure both in body and also in spirit: but she that is married, careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. This speak I for your profit, not to tangle you in a snare: but for that which is honest and comely unto you; And that ye may quietly cleave unto the Lord without separation. If any man think that it is uncomely for his virgin if she pass the time of marriage, and if so need require, let him do what he listeth, he sinneth not: let them be coupled in marriage. Nevertheless, he that purposeth surely in his heart, having none need: but hath power over his own will: and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doth well. So then he that joineth his virgin in marriage doth well. But he that joineth not his virgin in marriage doth better.