³⁵ I say this for your own benefit, ^(A)not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

³³ But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, ³⁴ and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.

³⁶ If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed,^[a] if his^[b] passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin.

¹⁴ And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but ^(A)as they go on their way they are choked by the ^(B)cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

² But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.

Watch Yourselves

³⁴ “But watch yourselves ^(A)lest ^(B)your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and ^(C)cares of this life, and ^(D)that day come upon you suddenly ^(E)like a trap.

⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are ^(A)anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴² but one thing is necessary.^[a] Mary has chosen ^(B)the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

¹² For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs ^(A)for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.”

^3 (A)Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, ^(B)not slanderers ^(C)or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,