1 Corinto 7
Ang Salita ng Diyos
Ang Pag-aasawa
7 Patungkol sa mga bagay na isinulat ninyo sa akin, mabuti para sa isang lalaki na hindi niya hahawakan ang isang babae.
2 Gayunman, upang maiwasan ang pakikiapid, makapag-asawa nawa ang bawat lalaki at gayundin nawa ang bawat babae. 3 Dapat gampanan ng lalaki ang tungkulin niya sa kaniyang asawa at gayundin ang babae sa kaniyang asawa. 4 Ang asawang babae ay walang kapamahalaan sa sarili niyang katawan kundi ang lalaki. Gayundin ang lalaki, wala siyang kapamahalaan sa sarili niyang katawan kundi ang babae. 5 Huwag magkait ang sinuman sa isa’t isa maliban na lang kung napagkasunduan sa ilang panahon. Ito ay upang maiukol ninyo ang inyong sarili sa pag-aayuno at pananalangin. Pagkatapos noon ay magsamang muli upang hindi kayo matukso ni Satanas dahil sa inyong kawalan ng pagpipigil. 6 Ito ay sinasabi ko bilang pagpapahintulot at hindi bilang pag-uutos. 7 Ibig ko sana na ang lahat ng lalaki ay maging tulad ko, ngunit ang bawat isa ay may kani-kaniyang kaloob mula sa Diyos. Ang isa ay may kaloob sa ganitong bagay at ang isa ay may kaloob sa ganoong bagay.
8 Sa mga walang asawa at sa mga balo ay sinasabi ko: Mabuti para sa kanila ang manatili sa kalagayang tulad ko. 9 Ngunit kung hindi sila makapagpigil, hayaan silang mag-asawa sapagkat higit na mabuti ang mag-asawa kaysa mag-alab sa matinding pagnanasa.
10 Sa mga may asawa ay iniuutos ko: Huwag humiwalay ang asawang babae sa kaniyang asawa. Hindi ako ang nag-uutos nito kundi ang Panginoon. 11 Kung siya ay humiwalay, huwag siyang mag-aasawa o kaya ay makipagkasundo siya sa kaniyang asawang lalaki. Huwag palayasin ng asawang lalaki ang kaniyang asawa.
12 Nangungusap ako sa iba, hindi ang Panginoon kundi ako: Kung ang sinumang kapatid na lalaki ay may asawang hindi sumasampalataya, huwag palayasin ng lalaki ang asawang babae. Ito ay kung sumasang-ayonang babae na manahang kasama ng lalaki. 13 Ang babae na may asawang hindi sumasampalataya ay huwag humiwalay sa asawang lalaki. Ito ay kung sumasang-ayon siyang manahang kasama ng babae. 14 Ito ay sapagkat ang asawang lalaki na hindi sumasampalataya ay pinababanal sa pamamagitan ng asawang babae. Ang asawang babae na hindi sumasampalataya ay pinababanal ng asawanglalaki. Kung hindi gayon, ang inyong mga anak ay marurumi, ngunit ngayon sila ay mga banal.
15 Kung ang hindi sumasampalataya ay humiwalay, hayaan siyang humiwalay. Ang kapatid na lalaki o kapatid na babae ay hindi na sa ilalim ng pagpapaalipin sa ganoong kalalagayan. Ngunit tayo ay tinawag ng Diyos na mamuhay sa kapayapaan. 16 Alam mo ba, ikaw na babae, na baka ikaw ang makadala sa iyong asawa patungo sa kaligtasan? Alam mo ba, ikaw na lalaki, na baka ikaw ang makadala sa iyong asawa patungo sa kaligtasan?
17 Ngunit kung ano nga ang itinakda ng Diyos sa bawat tao, mamuhay nawa siya ng ganoon. Kung paano tinawag ng Panginoon ang bawat isa, gayundin ang tagubilin ko sa mga iglesiya. 18 Mayroon bang tinatawag sa pagiging nasa pagtutuli? Huwag siyang maging hindi tuli. Mayroon bang tinatawag sa hindi pagiging nasa pagtutuli? Huwag siyang gawing tuli. 19 Ang pagtutuli ay walang halaga, ang hindi pagtutuli ay walang halaga. Ang mahalaga ay ang pagsunod sa utos ng Diyos. 20 Ang bawat tao ay manatili sa pagkatawag sa kaniya. 21 Tinawag ka ba na alipin? Huwag mong ikabahala iyon. Kung maaari kang maging malaya, gamitin mo ang kalayaang iyon. 22 Ito ay sapagkat siya na tinawag na isang alipin sa Panginoon ay malaya sa Panginoon. Gayundin siya na tinawag na isang malaya sa Panginoon ay isang alipin ni Cristo. 23 Kayo ay biniling may halaga, huwag kayong paalipin sa mga tao. 24 Mga kapatid, ang bawat tao ay panatilihing kasama ng Diyos sa tawag naitinawag sa kaniya.
25 Patungkol sa mga dalaga, wala akong utos na mula sa Diyos, gayunman ay magbibigay ako ng payo bilang isang taong nakatanggap mula sa Diyos ng habag na maging matapat. 26 Dahil sa kasalukuyang pangangailangan, sa aking palagay ay ito ang mabuti. Mabuti para sa isang lalaki ang manatiling ganito. 27 May asawa ka ba? Kung mayroon, huwagmo nang hangaring makipaghiwalay. Hiwalay ka ba sa iyong asawa? Huwag mo nang hangaring mag-asawang muli. 28 Kapag ikaw ay nag-asawa, hindi ka nagkasala. Kapag ang isang dalaga ay nag-asawa, hindi siya nagkasala. Ngunit, ang mga may asawa ay daranas ng kahirapan sa buhay, ngunit ang hangad ko ay makaligtas kayo sa bagay na ito.
29 Mga kapatid, ito ang sasabihin ko: Maikli na ang panahon, kaya mula ngayon, ang mga may asawa ay maging tulad nang mga walang asawa. 30 Ang mga nananangis ay maging parang mga hindi nananangis, ang mga nagagalak ay maging parang mga hindi nagagalak. Ang mga bumibili ay maging parang mga walang naging pag-aari. 31 Ang mga nagtatamasa ng mga bagay sa sanlibutang ito ay maging parang mga hindi nagtamasa ng lubos sapagkat ang kaanyuan ng sanlibutang ito ay lumilipas.
32 Ngunit ibig kong maging malaya kayo sa mga alalahanin. Ang walang asawa ay nagsusumikap sa mga bagay para sa Panginoon, kung papaano niya mabibigyang lugod ang Panginoon. 33 Ang lalaking may asawa ay nagsusumikap sa mga bagay ng sanlibutang ito kung papaano niya mabibigyang lugod ang kaniyang asawa. 34 Magkaiba ang babaeng may asawa at ang babaeng walang asawa. Ang babaeng walang asawa ay nagsusumikap sa mga bagay para sa Panginoon upang siya ay maging banal, kapwa ang kaniyang katawan at ang kaniyang espiritu. Ngunit ang babaeng may asawa ay nagsusumikap sa mga bagay ng sanlibutang ito kung papaano niya mabibigyang lugod ang kaniyang asawa. 35 Sinasabi ko ito para sa inyong ikabubuti, hindi sa inuumangan ko kayo ng patibong kundi upang magawa ninyo ang nararapat. Ito rin ay upang mapaglingkuran ninyo ang Panginoon ng walang anumang nakakagambala.
36 Kung ang isang lalaki ay nag-aakalang hindi nararapat ang kaniyang asal sa babaeng kaniyang magiging asawa, o kung inaakala ng babaeng kaniyang magiging asawa na siya ay nakalagpas na sa kaniyang kabataan o kung inaakala niyang gayon ang dapat na mangyari, gawin na niya ang dapat niyang gawin. Sa bagay na ito ay hindi siya nagkakasala. 37 Ngunit, mabuti ang kaniyang ginagawa kung mayroon siyang paninindigan sa kaniyang puso, hindi dahil sa kinakailangan, kundi dahil sa may kapamahalaan siya sa sarili niyang kalooban. At ito ay pinagpasiyahan niya sa kaniyang puso na panatilihin niyang gayon ang kaniyang magiging asawa. 38 Mabuti kung ang lalaki ay magpakasal, ngunit higit na mabuti kung hindi siya magpakasal.
39 Ang asawang babae ay nakabuklod sa pamamagitan ng batas sa kaniyang asawa hanggang ang lalaki ay nabubuhay. Kapag ang lalaki ay namatay, ang babae ay may kalayaang magpakasal sa sinumang ibig niya, ngunit ito ay dapat ayon sa kalooban ng Panginoon. 40 Kung siya ay mananatiling walang asawa ayon sa aking payo, siya ay higit na masaya at sa aking palagay ang Espiritu ng Diyos ay nasa akin.
1 Corinto 7
Ang Bagong Tipan: Filipino Standard Version
Mga Tagubilin tungkol sa Pag-aasawa
7 Tungkol naman sa mga bagay na isinulat ninyo: “Mabuti para sa isang lalaki na huwag gumalaw ng babae.” 2 Subalit dahil sa laganap na pakikiapid, ang bawat lalaki ay dapat magkaroon ng sarili niyang asawa, at gayundin ang bawat babae. 3 Dapat ibigay ng lalaki sa kanyang asawa ang karapatan nito bilang asawa, at gayundin ang babae sa kanyang asawa. 4 Sapagkat hindi na ang babae ang nagpapasya tungkol sa kanyang katawan, kundi ang kanyang asawa, at hindi na rin ang lalaki ang nagpapasya tungkol sa kanyang sariling katawan, kundi ang kanyang asawa. 5 Huwag ninyong ipagkait ang inyong mga sarili sa isa't isa, malibang may kasunduan kayo sa loob ng maikling panahon upang mailaan ang inyong mga sarili sa pananalangin. Pagkatapos nito ay magsiping kayong muli, upang hindi kayo matukso ni Satanas dahil sa kakulangan ninyo ng pagpipigil sa sarili. 6 Ngunit sinasabi ko ito bilang panukala at hindi bilang utos. 7 Nais ko sanang ang lahat ay maging katulad ko. Subalit ang bawat isa'y may kanya-kanyang kaloob mula sa Diyos, ang isa'y ganito at ang iba naman ay ganoon.
8 Ngunit sinasabi ko sa mga walang asawa at sa mga babaing balo: mabuti para sa kanila kung sila'y mananatiling kagaya ko. 9 Ngunit kung sila'y hindi makapagpigil, ay magsipag-asawa sila, sapagkat mas mabuti pang mag-asawa kaysa mag-apoy sa pagnanasa. 10 At sa mga may asawa ay nagtatagubilin ako, hindi ako, kundi ang Panginoon, na huwag hiwalayan ng babae ang kanyang asawa. 11 Ngunit kung siya'y humiwalay, manatili siyang walang asawa, kung hindi naman ay makipagkasundo siya sa kanyang asawa. At hindi dapat iwan ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa. 12 Ngunit sa iba ay ako mismo ang nagsasabi at hindi ang Panginoon, na kung sinumang kapatid na lalaki ay may asawang di-mananampalataya, at pumapayag itong mamuhay na kasama niya, huwag niya itong hiwalayan. 13 At kung ang babae ay may asawang di-mananampalataya, at pumapayag ang lalaking ito na mamuhay na kasama niya, huwag niyang hiwalayan ang kanyang asawa. 14 Sapagkat ang lalaking di-mananampalataya ay nagiging banal dahil sa kanyang asawa, at ang babaing di-mananampalataya ay nagiging banal dahil sa kanyang asawa. Kung hindi gayon, ang mga anak ninyo ay marurumi, ngunit ngayon sila'y mga banal. 15 Ngunit kung humiwalay ang di-mananampalataya, hayaan siyang humiwalay; ang kapatid na lalaki o ang kapatid na babae ay hindi dapat paalipin sa gayong kalagayan, sapagkat tayo ay tinawag ng Diyos tungo sa kapayapaan. 16 Hindi mo ba nalalaman, babae, na baka ikaw ang magliligtas sa iyong asawa? At hindi mo ba nalalaman, lalaki, na baka ikaw ang magliligtas sa iyong asawa?
Mamuhay ayon sa Pagkatawag ng Diyos
17 Hayaang mamuhay ang bawat isa ayon sa itinakda sa kanya ng Panginoon, at sa kalagayan niya noong tawagin siya ng Diyos. Ganito ang itinatagubilin ko sa lahat ng mga iglesya. 18 Natuli na ba ang sinuman nang siya'y tawagin? Huwag niyang alisin ang mga tanda ng pagtutuli. Hindi pa ba natuli ang sinuman nang siya'y tawagin? Huwag na siyang magpatuli. 19 Walang kabuluhan ang pagiging tuli o hindi tuli; ang mahalaga ay ang pagtupad sa mga utos ng Diyos. 20 Ang bawat isa ay hayaang manatili sa kalagayan nang siya ay tawagin. 21 Isa ka bang alipin nang ikaw ay tawagin? Wala kang dapat alalahanin. Subalit kung magagawa mong maging malaya ay gamitin mo ang pagkakataon. 22 Sapagkat ang tinawag na maging kaisa ng Panginoon nang siya'y alipin ay malaya sa Panginoon, at ang tinawag naman nang siya'y malaya ay alipin ni Cristo. 23 Mahal ang pagkabili sa inyo, kaya huwag kayong maging mga alipin ng mga tao. 24 Mga kapatid, hayaang manatili ang bawat isa sa kalagayan noong siya'y tawagin ng Diyos.
Sa mga Walang Asawa at mga Balo
25 At tungkol naman sa mga walang asawa[a] ay wala akong utos mula sa Panginoon, ngunit nagbibigay ako ng kuru-kuro bilang isang taong mapagkakatiwalaan dahil sa habag ng Panginoon. 26 Sa palagay ko, dahil sa kagipitang kinakaharap ngayon, makabubuti sa isang tao ang manatili sa kanyang kalagayan. 27 Nakatali ka ba sa asawang-babae? Huwag mong sikaping makalaya. Nakalaya ka ba mula sa asawa? Huwag kang nang humanap ng asawa. 28 Ngunit kung ikaw ay mag-aasawa, hindi ka nagkakasala, at kung ang isang dalaga ay mag-asawa, hindi siya nagkakasala. Subalit ang mga may asawa ay daranas ng kahirapan sa buhay[b] at iniiwas ko lamang kayo sa mga iyon. 29 Ang ibig kong sabihin, mga kapatid, ay maikli na ang panahon. Mula ngayon, ang mga may asawa ay mamuhay tulad sa walang asawa; 30 at ang mga umiiyak ay maging katulad ng mga hindi umiiyak, at ang mga natutuwa ay maging katulad ng mga hindi natutuwa; at ang mga bumibili ay maging katulad ng mga walang pag-aari, 31 at ang mga gumagamit ng mga bagay ng sanlibutan ay maging katulad ng mga hindi lubos na gumagamit nito. Sapagkat lumilipas ang anyo ng sanlibutang ito. 32 At nais kong mawalan kayo ng mga alalahanin. Ang lalaking walang asawa ay nag-aalala tungkol sa mga bagay ng Panginoon, kung paano niya mabibigyang-kasiyahan ang Panginoon. 33 Ngunit ang lalaking may asawa ay nag-aalala tungkol sa mga bagay ng sanlibutan, kung paano niya mabibigyang-kasiyahan ang kanyang asawa, 34 at nahahati ang kanyang pag-iisip. Ang babaing walang asawa at ang birhen ay nag-aalala tungkol sa mga bagay ng Panginoon, kung paano magiging banal sa katawan at sa espiritu, ngunit ang babaing may asawa ay nag-aalala tungkol sa mga bagay ng sanlibutan, kung paano niya bibigyang-kasiyahan ang kanyang asawa. 35 Sinasabi ko ito para sa inyong kapakanan, hindi upang paghigpitan kayo, kundi upang magkaroon kayo ng kaayusan at makapaglingkod sa Panginoon nang walang sagabal.
36 Ngunit kung iniisip ng sinuman na hindi tama ang kanyang inaasal sa kanyang dalaga[c] na nasa hustong gulang na, hayaang mangyari ang gusto niya, hayaan silang magpakasal—walang masama rito. 37 Subalit sinumang may matibay na paninindigan sa kanyang puso, at hindi nakakaramdam ng pangangailangan kundi napipigil niya ang kanyang sariling kagustuhan at nagpasya sa kanyang puso na panatilihin siya bilang kanyang dalaga, mabuti ang kanyang ginagawa. 38 Kaya't ang nagpapakasal sa kanyang kasintahan ay gumagawa ng mabuti at ang hindi naman nagpapakasal ay gumagawa ng mas mabuti.
39 Ang asawang babae ay nakatali habang nabubuhay ang kanyang asawa. Ngunit kung namayapa na ang kanyang asawa, malaya na siyang mag-asawa sa kanino mang nais niya, basta sa kapwa nasa Panginoon. 40 Ngunit sa aking palagay, mas maligaya siya kung mananatili siya sa kanyang kalagayan. Iniisip ko rin naman na taglay ko ang Espiritu ng Diyos.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinto 7:25 Sa Griyego, birhen.
- 1 Corinto 7:28 Sa Griyego, sa laman.
- 1 Corinto 7:36 ++ 36, 37 Sa Griyego, birhen.
1 Corinthians 7
Common English Bible
Marriage and celibacy
7 Now, about what you wrote: “It’s good for a man not to have sex with a woman.” 2 Each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband because of sexual immorality. 3 The husband should meet his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should do the same for her husband. 4 The wife doesn’t have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise, the husband doesn’t have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Don’t refuse to meet each other’s needs unless you both agree for a short period of time to devote yourselves to prayer. Then come back together again so that Satan might not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I’m saying this to give you permission; it’s not a command. 7 I wish all people were like me, but each has a particular gift from God: one has this gift, and another has that one.
8 I’m telling those who are single and widows that it’s good for them to stay single like me. 9 But if they can’t control themselves, they should get married, because it’s better to marry than to burn with passion. 10 I’m passing on the Lord’s command to those who are married: A wife shouldn’t leave her husband, 11 but if she does leave him, then she should stay single or be reconciled to her husband. And a man shouldn’t divorce his wife.
12 I’m telling everyone else (the Lord didn’t say this specifically): If a believer has a wife who doesn’t believe, and she agrees to live with him, then he shouldn’t divorce her. 13 If a woman has a husband who doesn’t believe and he agrees to live with her, then she shouldn’t divorce him. 14 The husband who doesn’t believe belongs to God because of his wife, and the wife who doesn’t believe belongs to God because of her husband. Otherwise, your children would be contaminated by the world, but now they are spiritually set apart. 15 But if a spouse who doesn’t believe chooses to leave, then let them leave. The brother or sister isn’t tied down in these circumstances. God has called you to peace. 16 How do you know as a wife if you will save your husband? Or how do you know as a husband if you will save your wife?
17 Nevertheless, each person should live the kind of life that the Lord assigned when he called each one. This is what I teach in all the churches. 18 If someone was circumcised when called, he shouldn’t try to reverse it. If someone wasn’t circumcised when he was called, he shouldn’t be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing; not being circumcised is nothing. What matters is keeping God’s commandments. 20 Each person should stay in the situation they were in when they were called. 21 If you were a slave when you were called, don’t let it bother you. But if you are actually able to be free, take advantage of the opportunity. 22 Anyone who was a slave when they were called by the Lord has the status of being the Lord’s free person. In the same way, anyone who was a free person when they were called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought and paid for. Don’t become slaves of people. 24 So then, brothers and sisters, each of you should stay with God in the situation you were in when you were called.
25 I don’t have a command from the Lord about people who have never been married,[a] but I’ll give you my opinion as someone you can trust because of the Lord’s mercy. 26 So I think this advice is good because of the present crisis: Stay as you are. 27 If you are married, don’t get a divorce. If you are divorced, don’t try to find a spouse. 28 But if you do marry, you haven’t sinned; and if someone who hasn’t been married gets married, they haven’t sinned. But married people will have a hard time, and I’m trying to spare you that. 29 This is what I’m saying, brothers and sisters: The time has drawn short. From now on, those who have wives should be like people who don’t have them. 30 Those who are sad should be like people who aren’t crying. Those who are happy should be like people who aren’t happy. Those who buy something should be like people who don’t have possessions. 31 Those who use the world should be like people who aren’t preoccupied with it, because this world in its present form is passing away.
32 I want you to be free from concerns. A man who isn’t married is concerned about the Lord’s concerns—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the world’s concerns—how he can please his wife. 34 His attention is divided. A woman who isn’t married or who is a virgin is concerned about the Lord’s concerns so that she can be dedicated to God in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the world’s concerns—how she can please her husband. 35 I’m saying this for your own advantage. It’s not to restrict you but rather to promote effective and consistent service to the Lord without distraction.
36 If someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward an unmarried woman whom he knows, and if he has strong feelings and it seems like the right thing to do, he should do what he wants—he’s not sinning—they should get married. 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. 40 But in my opinion, she will be happier if she stays the way she is. And I think that I have God’s Spirit too.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 7:25 Or virgins
1 Corinthians 7
King James Version
7 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.
9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 7
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised
Directions concerning Marriage
7 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: ‘It is well for a man not to touch a woman.’ 2 But because of cases of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another except perhaps by agreement for a set time, to devote yourselves to prayer, and then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 This I say by way of concession, not of command. 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind.
8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain unmarried as I am. 9 But if they are not practising self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.
10 To the married I give this command—not I but the Lord—that the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.
12 To the rest I say—I and not the Lord—that if any believer[a] has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 And if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. It is to peace that God has called you.[b] 16 Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife.
The Life That the Lord Has Assigned
17 However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but obeying the commandments of God is everything. 20 Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called.
21 Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever.[c] 22 For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when called is a slave of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters. 24 In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters,[d] there remain with God.
The Unmarried and the Widows
25 Now concerning virgins, I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26 I think that, in view of the impending[e] crisis, it is well for you to remain as you are. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you marry, you do not sin, and if a virgin marries, she does not sin. Yet those who marry will experience distress in this life,[f] and I would spare you that. 29 I mean, brothers and sisters,[g] the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; 33 but the married man is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin are anxious about the affairs of the Lord, so that they may be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord.
36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly towards his fiancée,[h] if his passions are strong, and so it has to be, let him marry as he wishes; it is no sin. Let them marry. 37 But if someone stands firm in his resolve, being under no necessity but having his own desire under control, and has determined in his own mind to keep her as his fiancée,[i] he will do well. 38 So then, he who marries his fiancée[j] does well; and he who refrains from marriage will do better.
39 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives. But if the husband dies,[k] she is free to marry anyone she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 But in my judgement she is more blessed if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 7:12 Gk brother
- 1 Corinthians 7:15 Other ancient authorities read us
- 1 Corinthians 7:21 Or avail yourself of the opportunity
- 1 Corinthians 7:24 Gk brothers
- 1 Corinthians 7:26 Or present
- 1 Corinthians 7:28 Gk in the flesh
- 1 Corinthians 7:29 Gk brothers
- 1 Corinthians 7:36 Gk virgin
- 1 Corinthians 7:37 Gk virgin
- 1 Corinthians 7:38 Gk virgin
- 1 Corinthians 7:39 Gk falls asleep
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Ang Bagong Tipan: Filipino Standard Version, Copyright © Philippine Bible Society 2009.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.