Concerning Virgins

²⁵ Now concerning virgins, although I do not have any command from the Lord, I will give you my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. ²⁶ In view of the present crisis, I think it is prudent for a man to stay as he is. ²⁷ Have you become committed^[a] to a wife? Stop trying to get released from your commitment.^[b] Have you been freed from your commitment to^[c] a wife? Stop looking for one.^{[d] 28} But if you do get married, you have not sinned. And if a virgin gets married, she has not sinned. However, these people will experience trouble in this life,^[e] and I want to spare you from that.

²⁹ This is what I mean, brothers: The time is short. From now on, those who have wives should live as though they had none, ³⁰ and those who mourn as though they did not mourn, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they did not own a thing, ³¹ and those who use the things in the world as though they were not dependent on them. For the world in its present form is passing away.