1 Corinthians 7:25-31

Expanded Bible

Questions About Getting Married

²⁵ Now I write about ·people who are not married [or those never married; or betrothed women; ^Lvirgins]. I have no command from the Lord about this; I give my ·opinion [perspective; judgment]. But I can be trusted, because the Lord has shown me mercy. ²⁶ Because ·the present time is a time of trouble [of the present crisis/distress/trouble], I think it is ·good [best] for you to stay the way you are. ²⁷ If you ·have a wife [^Lare bound to a wife; or are pledged to a woman], do not try to ·become free from [or divorce] her. If you are not married, do not try to find a wife. ²⁸ But if you decide to marry, you have not sinned. And if a ·girl who has never married [or betrothed woman; ^Lvirgin] decides to marry, she has not sinned. But those who marry will have ·trouble [trials; tribulation] in ·this life [this world; ^Lthe flesh], and I want ·you to be free [to spare you] from trouble [^Cduring times of persecution, those with family obligations suffer the most].

²⁹ Brothers and sisters, this is what I mean: ·We do not have much time left [The time is short/limited/coming to an end]. So starting now, those who have wives should live as if they had no wives. ³⁰ Those who are ·crying [weeping; mourning] should live as if they were not ·crying [weeping; mourning]. Those who ·are happy [rejoice] should live as if they were not ·happy [rejoicing]. Those who buy things should live as if they ·own [or could keep/hold on to] nothing. ³¹ Those who use ·the things of the world [^Lthe world] should live as if they were not ·using [engrossed in; dependent upon] them, because this world in its present form ·will soon be gone [is passing away].