Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

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.