Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
2
But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
3
Let the husband render unto the wife her due: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
4
The wife hath not power over her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power over his own body, but the wife.
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Defraud ye not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that ye may give yourselves unto prayer, and may be together again, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency.
6
But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.
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Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.
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But I say to the unmarried and to widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
9
But if they have not continency, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
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But unto the married I give charge, [yea] not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband
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(but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not his wife.
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But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her.
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And the woman that hath an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell with her, let her not leave her husband.
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For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
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Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such [cases]: but God hath called us in peace.
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For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
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Only, as the Lord hath distributed to each man, as God hath called each, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches.
18
Was any man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
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Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.
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Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called.
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Wast thou called being a bondservant? Care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use [it] rather.
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For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord's freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ's bondservant.
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Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men.
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Brethren, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God.
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Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy.
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I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, [namely,] that it is good for a man to be as he is.
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Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife.
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But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you.
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But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none;
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and those that weep, as though they wept not; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those that buy, as though they possessed not;
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and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
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But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
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but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife,
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and is divided. [So] also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
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And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
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But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin [daughter], if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them marry.
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But he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power as touching in his own heart, to keep his own virgin [daughter], shall do well.
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So then both he that giveth his own virgin [daughter] in marriage doeth well; and he that giveth her not in marriage shall do better.
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A wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
40
But she is happier if she abide as she is, after my judgment: and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.] I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
