The Daily Audio Bible

Concerning The Unmarried: In General, It Is Good To Remain As You Are In Life

²⁵ Now concerning virgins, I do not have a command from the Lord, but I am giving an opinion as one having been shown-mercy by the Lord to be trustworthy. ²⁶ I think then that this^[a] is good because of the present necessity^[b], that it is good for a person to be so^[c]. ²⁷ Have you been bound^[d] to a woman? Do not be seeking a release^[e]. Have you been released^[f] from a woman? Do not be seeking a wife. ²⁸ But even if you marry, you did not sin. And if the virgin marries, she did not sin. But such ones will have affliction in the flesh, and I am sparing^[g] you.

We All Must Keep Our Earthly Life In Eternal Perspective

²⁹ And this I say, brothers— the time^[h] is shortened, so that henceforth even the ones having wives should be as-though not having, ³⁰ and the ones weeping as-though not weeping, and the ones rejoicing as-though not rejoicing, and the ones buying as-though not holding-on-to^[i], ³¹ and the ones making-use-of the world as-though not making-full-use-of it. For the form^[j] of this world is passing away.

Single People Can Be Solely Devoted To God; The Married Have a Dual Concern

³² Now I want you to be free-from-concern. The unmarried man is concerned-about the things of the Lord— how he may please the Lord. ³³ But the man having married is concerned-about the things of the world— how he may please his wife, ³⁴ and he has been divided^[k]. And the unmarried woman^[l], and the virgin, is concerned-about the things of the Lord— that she may be holy both in the body and in the spirit. But the woman having married is concerned-about the things of the world— how she may please her husband.

Do What You Think Is Honorable For Your Virgin Daughter

³⁵ Now I am saying this^[m] for the benefit of you yourselves— not that I may throw a noose^[n] on you, but toward good-order and devotion^[o] to the Lord, undistractedly. ³⁶ But if one^[p] thinks that he is behaving-dishonorably^[q] toward his virgin daughter— if she is beyond-the-bloom-of-youth^[r], and it ought^[s] to be so— let him do what he wants. He is not sinning. Let them marry. ³⁷ But he who stands steadfast^[t] in his heart, not having a necessity^[u], and has authority^[v] concerning^[w] his own will, and has determined this in his own heart, to keep^[x] his virgin daughter— he will do well^[y]. ³⁸ So then, both the one giving his virgin daughter in marriage is doing well, and the one not giving-in-marriage will do better.

Widows Are Free To Remarry, But May Be Happier Remaining As They Are

³⁹ A wife has been bound for as much time as her husband lives. But if her husband falls-asleep, she is free to be married to whom she wishes— only in the Lord. ⁴⁰ But she is happier if she remains thus^[z], according to my opinion; and I also think that I have the Spirit of God.