1Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2Nevertheless, because of sexual perversion, let each have his own wife, and let each have her own husband. 3Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5Do not deprive one another except by agreement for a time, that you may be free for fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6But I say this by permission, not by commandment. 7For I wish that all men were even as myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. 8But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; 9but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to be on fire. 10Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to leave her husband. 11But, indeed, in case she does leave, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to send away his wife. 12But to the rest I say, not the Lord: If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is willing to live with him, let him not send her away. 13And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, if he is willing to live with her, let her not leave him. 14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 15But if the unbeliever leaves, let them leave; a brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us in peace. 16For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife? 17But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I command in all the churches. 18Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. 19Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. 20Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you are able to be made free, rather use it. 22For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. 23You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24Brethren, let each one remain with God however he was called. 25Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one who, having received mercy from the Lord, is faithful. 26I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present necessity; that it is good for a man to be thus: 27Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28But also if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I am sparing you. 29But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that even those who have wives should be as though they had none, 30those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, 31and those who use this world as not using it up. For the form of this world is passing away. 32But I want you to be free from anxiety. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord; how to please the Lord. 33But he who is married cares about the things of the world; how to please his wife. 34There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world; how to please her husband. 35And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction. 36But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and it is the duty, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let him marry. 37Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has control over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep himself a virgin, does well. 38So then he who gives in marriage does well, but he who does not give in marriage does better. 39A wife is bound by Law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40But she is happier if she remains so, according to my judgment; and I think I also have the Spirit of God.