1 Corinthians 7:32–40

³²But I want you to be without ²care. ^cHe who is unmarried ³cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. ³³But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. ³⁴There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman ^dcares 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 she may 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 ⁴virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. ³⁷Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his ⁵virgin, does well. ^38eSo then he who gives ⁶her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.

^39fA 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, ^gonly in the Lord. ⁴⁰But she is happier if she remains as she is, ^haccording to my judgment—and ⁱI think I also have the Spirit of God.