1And concerning the things of which ye wrote to me, it is praiseworthy for a man not to approach a woman.
2But, on account of whoredom, let each have his own wife and let a woman have her own husband.
3And let the man render to his wife the kindness which is due; and so also the woman to her husband.
4The woman is not the sovereign over her body, but her husband: so also the man is not the sovereign over his body, but the wife.
5Therefore, deprive not one another, except when ye both consent, at the time ye devote yourselves to fasting and prayer; and return again to the same disposition, that Satan tempt you not because of the concupiscence of your body.
6But this I say, as to weak persons, not of positive precept.
7For I would that all men might be like me in purity. But every man is endowed with his gift of God; one thus, and another so.
8And I say to them who have no wives, and to widows, that it is advantageous to them to remain as I am.
9But if they cannot endure it, let them marry: for it is more profitable to take a wife, than to burn with concupiscence.
10And on them who have wives, I enjoin,-not I, but my Lord,-that the woman separate not from her husband.
11And if she separate, let her remain without a husband, or be reconciled to her husband; and let not the man put away his wife.
12And to the rest, say I,- I, not my Lord,-that if there be a brother, who hath a wife that believeth not, and she is disposed to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
13And that woman, who hath a husband that believeth not, and he is disposed to dwell with her let her not forsake her husband.
14For the husband who believeth not, is sanctified by the wife that believeth; and the wife who believeth not, is sanctified by the husband that believeth: otherwise their children would be impure; but now are they pure.
15But if the unbeliever separateth, let him separate: A brother or sister is not in bondage in such cases: it is to peace, God hath called us.
16For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou wilt procure life to thy husband? Or, thou husband, knowest thou, whether thou wilt procure life to thy wife?
17Every one, however, as the Lord hath distributed to him, and every one as God hath called him, so let him walk. And also thus I enjoin upon all the churches.
18Is a circumcised person called, let him not revert to uncircumcision: and if one uncircumcised be called, let him not become circumcised.
19For circumcision is nothing, neither is uncircumcision; but the keeping of God's commands.
20Let every one continue in the vocation, in which he was called.
21If thou wert called, being a servant; let it not trouble thee. But if thou canst be made free, choose it rather than to serve.
22For he that is called by our Lord, being a servant, is God's freedman: likewise, he that is called, being a free man, is the Messiah's servant.
23Ye are bought with a price; become not the servants of men.
24Let every one, my Brethren, continue with God, in whatever state he was called.
25And concerning virginity, I have no precept from God; but I give counsels as a man who hath obtained mercy from God to be a believer.
26And I think this is suitable, on account of the necessity of the times; it is advantageous for a man to remain as he is.
27Art thou bound to a wife? Seek not a release. Art thou free from a wife? Seek not a wife.
28But if thou takest a wife, thou sinnest not. And if a maiden is given to a husband, she sinneth not. But they who are such, will have trouble in the body: but I am forbearing to you.
29And this I say, my Brethren, that the time to come is short; so that they who have wives, should be as if they had none;
30and they who weep, as if they wept not; and they who rejoice, as if they rejoiced not; and they who buy, as if they acquired not;
31and those occupied with this world, not going beyond the just using: for the fashion of this world is passing away.
32And therefore I wish you to be without solicitude. For he who hath not a wife, considereth the thing of his Lord, how he may please his Lord.
33And he who hath a wife, is anxious about the world, how he may please his wife.
34There is a difference also between a wife and a maiden. She who is without a husband, thinketh of things pertaining to her Lord, that she may be holy in her body and in her spirit. But she who hath a husband, thinketh of things pertaining to the world, how she may please her husband.
35And this I say for your advantage; I am not laying a snare for you; but that ye may be faithful towards your Lord, in a suitable manner, while not minding worldly things.
36But if any one thinketh that there is reproach, on account of his maiden daughter, because she hath passed her time, and he hath not presented her to a husband, and it be fitting that he present her; let him do what he desireth, he sinneth not; let her be married.
37But he who hath firmly determined in his own mind, and nothing compelleth him, and he can act his own pleasure, and he so judgeth in his heart, that he keep his maiden daughter, he doeth commendably.
38And therefore, he who presenteth his maiden daughter, doeth commendably; and he who presenteth not his maiden daughter, doeth very commendably.
39A woman, while her husband liveth, is bound by the law; but if her husband sleepeth in death, she is free to marry whom she pleaseth, yet only in the Lord.
40But she is happier, in my opinion, if she remain so: and I think also, that I have the Spirit of God.