Matthew 19:10
New Living Translation
10 Jesus’ disciples then said to him, “If this is the case, it is better not to marry!”
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1 Corinthians 7:32-35
New Living Translation
32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. 33 But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. 34 His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.
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1 Timothy 5:11-15
New Living Translation
11 The younger widows should not be on the list, because their physical desires will overpower their devotion to Christ and they will want to remarry. 12 Then they would be guilty of breaking their previous pledge. 13 And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t. 14 So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes. Then the enemy will not be able to say anything against them. 15 For I am afraid that some of them have already gone astray and now follow Satan.
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1 Timothy 4:3
New Living Translation
3 They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth.
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1 Corinthians 7:39-40
New Living Translation
39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord.[a] 40 But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God’s Spirit when I say this.
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- 7:39 Greek but only in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:8
New Living Translation
8 So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows—it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I am.
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1 Corinthians 7:1-2
New Living Translation
Instruction on Marriage
7 Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to abstain from sexual relations.[a] 2 But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.
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- 7:1 Or to live a celibate life; Greek reads It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
Proverbs 21:19
New Living Translation
19 It’s better to live alone in the desert
than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.
Proverbs 21:9
New Living Translation
9 It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic
than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
Proverbs 19:13-14
New Living Translation
13 A foolish child[a] is a calamity to a father;
a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping.
14 Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth,
but only the Lord can give an understanding wife.
Proverbs 18:22
New Living Translation
22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure,
and he receives favor from the Lord.
Proverbs 5:15-19
New Living Translation
15 Drink water from your own well—
share your love only with your wife.[a]
16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets,
having sex with just anyone?[b]
17 You should reserve it for yourselves.
Never share it with strangers.
18 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.
Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 She is a loving deer, a graceful doe.
Let her breasts satisfy you always.
May you always be captivated by her love.
1 Corinthians 7:26-28
New Living Translation
26 Because of the present crisis,[a] I think it is best to remain as you are. 27 If you have a wife, do not seek to end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to get married. 28 But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a sin. However, those who get married at this time will have troubles, and I am trying to spare you those problems.
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- 7:26 Or the pressures of life.
Genesis 2:18
New Living Translation
18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
Read full chapterHoly Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.