Book of Common Prayer

³² I would have you be without preoccupation. The single man cares for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. ³³ But he who is married cares for the things of the world, how he may please his wife. ³⁴ There is a difference between a virgin and a wife. The single woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be pure both in body and also in spirit. But she who is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. ³⁵ This I say for your profit – not to tangle you in a snare, but for that which is fitting and agreeable for you, and so that you may quietly cleave unto the Lord without hindrance.

³⁶ If any man thinks that it is not best for his virgin, if she is passing the time of marriage and if need so requires, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them be coupled in marriage. ³⁷ Nevertheless, he who purposes surely in his heart, having no need, but has power over his own will, and has thus determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. ³⁸ So then, he who joins his virgin in marriage does well, but he who does not join his virgin in marriage does better.

³⁹ The wife is bound to the law as long as her husband lives. If her husband sleeps, she is at liberty to marry whomever she wishes, only in the Lord. ⁴⁰ But she is happier if she remains as she is, in my judgment. And I think indeed that I have the Spirit of God.

Jesus forbids foolish and presumptuous judgment, reproves hypocrisy, exhorts to prayer, warns us to beware of false prophets, and so concludes his sermon.

7 Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For as you judge, so shall you be judged, and the measure you use will be measured back to you. ³ Why do you see a speck in your brother’s eye, and not perceive the beam that is in your own eye? ⁴ Or why do you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye, and behold, there is a beam in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite, first cast the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to pluck the speck out of your brother’s eye.

⁶ Do not give that which is holy to dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they tread them under their feet and then turn and tear you to shreds.

⁷ Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For whosoever asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. ⁹ Is there anyone among you who, if his son asked for bread, would offer him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asked for fish, would give him a serpent? ¹¹ If, then, you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him?

¹² Therefore whatever you would have others do unto you, so do unto them. This is the law and the prophets.