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. 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 [b]virgin, does well. 38 (A)So then he who gives [c]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. 40 But she is happier if she remains as she is, (D)according to my judgment—and (E)I think I also have the Spirit of God.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or virgin daughter
  2. 1 Corinthians 7:37 Or virgin daughter
  3. 1 Corinthians 7:38 NU his own virgin

36 ει δε τις ασχημονειν επι την παρθενον αυτου νομιζει εαν η υπερακμος και ουτως οφειλει γινεσθαι ο θελει ποιειτω ουχ αμαρτανει γαμειτωσαν

37 ος δε εστηκεν εδραιος εν τη καρδια μη εχων αναγκην εξουσιαν δε εχει περι του ιδιου θεληματος και τουτο κεκρικεν εν τη καρδια αυτου του τηρειν την εαυτου παρθενον καλως ποιει

38 ωστε και ο εκγαμιζων καλως ποιει ο δε μη εκγαμιζων κρεισσον ποιει

39 γυνη δεδεται νομω εφ οσον χρονον ζη ο ανηρ αυτης εαν δε κοιμηθη ο ανηρ αυτης ελευθερα εστιν ω θελει γαμηθηναι μονον εν κυριω

40 μακαριωτερα δε εστιν εαν ουτως μεινη κατα την εμην γνωμην δοκω δε καγω πνευμα θεου εχειν

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36 But if anyone thinks that he is acting dishonorably toward his virgin, if she is [a]past her youth and it ought to be so, let him do what he wishes, he is not sinning; let [b]them marry. 37 But the one who stands firm in his heart, [c]if he is not under constraint, but has authority [d]over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin, he will do well. 38 So then, both the one who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and the one who does not give her in marriage will do better.

39 (A)A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband [e]dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only (B)in the Lord. 40 But (C)in my opinion she is [f]happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or past puberty
  2. 1 Corinthians 7:36 I.e., the woman and her betrothed or fiancé
  3. 1 Corinthians 7:37 Lit having no necessity
  4. 1 Corinthians 7:37 Lit pertaining to
  5. 1 Corinthians 7:39 Lit falls asleep
  6. 1 Corinthians 7:40 Or more fortunate

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.(A) They should 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 not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right,(B) but he who does not marry her does better.[b]

39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives.(C) But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.(D) 40 In my judgment,(E) she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or if she is getting beyond the usual age for marriage
  2. 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.