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1 Corinthians 7:37-39
Common English Bible
1 Corinthians 7:37-39
Common English Bible
37 But if a man stands firm in his decision, and doesn’t feel the pressure, but has his own will under control, he does right if he decides in his own heart not to marry the woman. 38 Therefore, the one who marries the unmarried woman does right, and the one who doesn’t get married will do even better. 39 A woman is obligated to stay in her marriage as long as her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry whomever she wants, only it should be a believer in the Lord.
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1 Corinthians 7:37-39
New International Version
1 Corinthians 7:37-39
New International Version
37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right,(A) but he who does not marry her does better.[a]
39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives.(B) But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.(C)
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 7:38 Or 36 If anyone thinks he is not treating his daughter properly, and if she is getting along in years (or if her passions are too strong), and he feels she ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. He should let her get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind to keep the virgin unmarried—this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who gives his virgin in marriage does right, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.
1 Corinthians 7:37-39
New King James Version
1 Corinthians 7:37-39
New King James Version
37 Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his [a]virgin, does well. 38 (A)So then he who gives [b]her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.
39 (B)A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, (C)only in the Lord.
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- 1 Corinthians 7:37 Or virgin daughter
- 1 Corinthians 7:38 NU his own virgin
1 Corinthians 7:37-39
English Standard Version
1 Corinthians 7:37-39
English Standard Version
37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. 38 So then he who marries his betrothed (A)does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.
39 (B)A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only (C)in the Lord.
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Common English Bible (CEB)
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.