34 There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman (A)cares 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 [a]virgin, 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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or virgin daughter

34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.(A) But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided(B) devotion to the Lord.

36 If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong[a] and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning.(C) They should get married.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or if she is getting beyond the usual age for marriage

34 and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 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.

Read full chapter

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