1 Corinthians 7 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Now, about the things you wrote to me: "It's good for a man not to have sexual contact with a woman."

But because sexual immorality is so common, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.

A husband should give his wife what she's owed sexually, and a wife should do the same for her husband.

A wife doesn't have sole authority over her own body — her husband shares in it. And in the same way, a husband doesn't have sole authority over his own body — his wife shares in it.

Don't deprive each other — unless you both agree to take a break for a set time so you can devote yourselves to prayer. Then come back together, so that the Opponent doesn't exploit your lack of self-control.

I'm saying this as a concession, not a command.

I wish everyone could be like me in this. But each person has their own gift from God — one person has this gift, another has that.

Now to those who aren't married and to widows, I say this: it's good for them to stay single, as I am.

But if they can't exercise self-control, they should get married. It's better to marry than to be consumed by desire.

To those who are married, I give this instruction — and this isn't from me, it's from the Lord: a wife must not separate from her husband.

But if she does separate, she must either stay unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

To everyone else, I say this — and this is me talking, not the Lord: if a brother has a wife who doesn't believe and she's willing to stay with him, he must not divorce her.

And if a woman has a husband who doesn't believe and he's willing to stay with her, she must not divorce him.

Because the husband who doesn't believe is set apart through his wife, and the wife who doesn't believe is set apart through her believing husband. Otherwise, your children would be outsiders — but as it is, they are set apart.

But if the unbelieving partner leaves, let them go. The brother or sister isn't enslaved in such situations. God has called you to live in peace.

Wife, how do you know whether you'll rescue your husband? Husband, how do you know whether you'll rescue your wife?

Beyond that, each person should keep living in whatever situation the Lord has assigned them, whatever circumstances God called them in. This is the rule I lay down in all the gathered communities.

Was someone already circumcised when they were called? They shouldn't try to reverse it. Was someone uncircumcised when called? They shouldn't get circumcised.

Circumcision means nothing. Uncircumcision means nothing. What matters is keeping God's commands.

Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

Were you enslaved when you were called? Don't let it bother you — but if you get a chance to become free, take it.

Because anyone who was enslaved when the Lord called them is the Lord's freed person. And likewise, anyone who was free when they were called is now The One's willing servant.

You were bought at a price. Don't become slaves to human masters.

Brothers and sisters, each person should remain with God in whatever situation they were in when they were called.

Now about people who've never been married: I don't have a direct command from the Lord, but I'll give you my judgment as someone who — by the Lord's mercy — can be trusted.

So here's what I think, given the current crisis: it's good for a person to stay as they are.

Are you bound to a wife? Don't try to get free. Are you free from a wife? Don't go looking for one.

But if you do get married, you haven't done anything wrong. And if someone who's never been married gets married, they haven't done anything wrong either. But those who marry will face extra difficulties in this life, and I'm trying to spare you that.

Here's what I mean, brothers and sisters: the time has been cut short. From now on, those who have wives should live as though they don't,

and those who mourn as though they don't, and those who celebrate as though they don't, and those who buy things as though they own nothing,

and those who use the things of this world as though they aren't fully invested in them. Because this world in its current form is passing away.

I want you to be free from worry. An unmarried man is focused on the Lord's concerns — how to please the Lord.

But a married man is focused on worldly concerns — how to please his wife —

and his attention is divided. An unmarried woman or a woman who's never been married is focused on the Lord's concerns — being dedicated to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is focused on worldly concerns — how to please her husband.

I'm telling you this for your own benefit, not to put restrictions on you. I want to help you live in an appropriate and focused way, fully devoted to the Lord without distractions.

If anyone thinks they're treating their unmarried partner unfairly, and if the desire is strong and they feel it has to happen — they should do as they wish. They're not doing anything wrong. Let them get married.

But the man who has firmly made up his mind, who isn't under any pressure and has control over his own desires, and who has decided in his heart to keep her as she is — he's also doing the right thing.

So then, the one who marries does the right thing, and the one who doesn't marry does even better.

A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she's free to marry anyone she wants — but only someone who belongs to the Lord.

But in my judgment, she'll be happier if she stays as she is. And I think I also have the Breath of God guiding me in this.