²⁵ Now concerning virgins I have ^(A)no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who ^[a](B)by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. ²⁶ I think then that this is good because of the ^[b]present ^(C)distress, that ^(D)it is good for a man ^[c]to remain as he is. ²⁷ Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. ²⁸ But if you marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have ^[d]trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you. ²⁹ But this I say, brothers, ^(E)the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; ³⁰ and those who cry, as though they did not cry; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; ³¹ and those who use the world, as though they did not ^(F)make full use of it. For ^(G)the form of this world is passing away.