To the Unmarried and Widows

25 Now concerning virgins: vI have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one wwhom the Lord in His mercy has made xtrustworthy. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—ythat it is good for a man to remain as he is: 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.

29 But zthis I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, 30 those 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, 31 and those who use this world as not amisusing it. For bthe form of this world is passing away.

32 But I want you to be without 2care. cHe who is unmarried 3cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. 33 But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. 34 There 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. 35 And 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.

36 But 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. 37 Nevertheless 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. 38 eSo then he who gives 6her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.

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