Concerning the Unmarried

²⁵ Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord,^(A) but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy^(B) is trustworthy. ²⁶ Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.^{(C) 27} Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.^{(D) 28} But if you do marry, you have not sinned;^(E) and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

²⁹ What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short.^(F) From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; ³⁰ those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; ³¹ those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.^(G)

²⁰ Looking at his disciples, he said:

²³ “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy,^(G) because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.^(H)