35 I say this for your own benefit, not to put a restraint on you, but [a]to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.

36 But if anyone thinks that he is acting dishonorably toward his virgin, if she is [b]past her youth and it ought to be so, let him do what he wishes, he is not sinning; let [c]them marry. 37 But the one who stands firm in his heart, [d]if he is not under constraint, but has authority [e]over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin, he will do well.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:35 Lit for what is seemly
  2. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or past puberty
  3. 1 Corinthians 7:36 I.e., the woman and her betrothed or fiancé
  4. 1 Corinthians 7:37 Lit having no necessity
  5. 1 Corinthians 7:37 Lit pertaining to

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