Book of Common Prayer
Single People Can Be Solely Devoted To God; The Married Have a Dual Concern
32 Now I want you to be free-from-concern. The unmarried man is concerned-about the things of the Lord— how he may please the Lord. 33 But the man having married is concerned-about the things of the world— how he may please his wife, 34 and he has been divided[a]. And the unmarried woman[b], and the virgin, is concerned-about the things of the Lord— that she may be holy both in the body and in the spirit. But the woman having married is concerned-about the things of the world— how she may please her husband.
Do What You Think Is Honorable For Your Virgin Daughter
35 Now I am saying this[c] for the benefit of you yourselves— not that I may throw a noose[d] on you, but toward good-order and devotion[e] to the Lord, undistractedly. 36 But if one[f] thinks that he is behaving-dishonorably[g] toward his virgin daughter— if she is beyond-the-bloom-of-youth[h], and it ought[i] to be so— let him do what he wants. He is not sinning. Let them marry. 37 But he who stands steadfast[j] in his heart, not having a necessity[k], and has authority[l] concerning[m] his own will, and has determined this in his own heart, to keep[n] his virgin daughter— he will do well[o]. 38 So then, both the one giving his virgin daughter in marriage is doing well, and the one not giving-in-marriage will do better.
Widows Are Free To Remarry, But May Be Happier Remaining As They Are
39 A wife has been bound for as much time as her husband lives. But if her husband falls-asleep, she is free to be married to whom she wishes— only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she remains thus[p], according to my opinion; and I also think that I have the Spirit of God.
Don’t Be Judgmental of Others. But Use Discernment In Your Actions Toward Others
7 “Do not be judging[a], in order that you may not be judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with what measure you measure, it will be measured to you. 3 And why do you look-at the speck in the eye of your brother, but do not consider[b] the log in your eye? 4 Or how will you say to your brother, ‘Permit me to take out the speck from your eye’, and behold— the log is in your eye? 5 Hypocrite! First take out the log from your eye, and then you will see-clearly to take out the speck from the eye of your brother. 6 Do not give the holy thing to the dogs[c], nor throw your pearls in front of the pigs, so that they will not perhaps trample them with their feet, and having turned, tear you to pieces.
Keep Pursuing What You Need From God. He Will Give You Good Things
7 “Be asking, and it will be given to you; be seeking, and you will find; be knocking, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone asking receives; and the one seeking finds; and to the one knocking, it will be opened. 9 Or what person is there from-among you whom his son will ask-for bread— he will not give him a stone[d], will he? 10 Or indeed he will ask-for a fish— he will not give him a snake[e], will he? 11 Therefore if you, being evil, know-how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in the heavens give good things to the ones asking Him!
Treat Others As You Yourself Want To Be Treated
12 “Therefore, everything that you want[f] people to be doing to you, thus also you be doing to them. For this is the Law and the Prophets.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing