1 Corinthians 7:3–9

3 A husband should fulfill his marital dutyat to his wife, and likewise a wife to her husband. 4 A wife does not have the right over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband does not have the right over his own body, but his wife does. 5 Do not depriveau one another—except when you agree for a time, to devote yourselves toH prayer. Then come together again; otherwise, Satan may tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all people were as I am. But each has his own giftav from God, one person has this gift, another has that.

A WORD TO THE UNMARRIED

8 I say to the unmarriedI and to widows:aw It is good for them if they remain as I am. 9 But if they do not have self-control,a they should marry, since it is better to marryb than to burn with desire.