1 Corinthians 7
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Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: a It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
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Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
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b Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.
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The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
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c Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that d Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
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But I say this as a concession, e not as a commandment.
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For f I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.
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But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: g It is good for them if they remain even as I am;
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but h if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
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Now to the married I command, yet not I but the i Lord: j A wife is not to depart from her husband.
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But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.
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But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.
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And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.
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For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise k your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.
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But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us l to peace.
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For how do you know, O wife, whether you will m save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?
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But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And n so I ordain in all the churches.
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Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? o Let him not be circumcised.
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p Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but q keeping the commandments of God is what matters.
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Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.
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Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.
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For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is r the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is s Christ's slave.
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t You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
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Brethren, let each one remain with u God in that state in which he was called.
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Now concerning virgins: v I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one w whom the Lord in His mercy has made x trustworthy.
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I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress - y that it is good for a man to remain as he is:
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Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
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But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.
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But z this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none,
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those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess,
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and those who use this world as not a misusing it. For b the form of this world is passing away.
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But I want you to be without care. c He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord - how he may please the Lord.
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But he who is married cares about the things of the world - how he may please his wife.
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There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman d cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about 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 put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.
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But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry.
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Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well.
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e So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.
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f A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, g only in the Lord.
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But she is happier if she remains as she is, h according to my judgment - and i I think I also have the Spirit of God.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 7:8
But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am.
1 Corinthians 7:26
I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress - that it is good for a man to remain as he is:
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Cross References
Exodus 21:10
If he takes another wife, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marriage rights.
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Cross References
Joel 2:16
Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room.
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Cross References
1 Thessalonians 3:5
For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 8:8
I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.
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Cross References
Acts 26:29
And Paul said, "I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 7:1
Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
1 Corinthians 7:26
I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress - that it is good for a man to remain as he is:
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Cross References
1 Timothy 5:14
Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
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Cross References
Mark 10:6 - 10
"But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.'
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Cross References
Malachi 2:14
Yet you say, "For what reason?" Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant.
Matthew 5:32
But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
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Cross References
Ezra 9:2
"For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples of those lands. Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass."
Malachi 2:15
But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.
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Cross References
Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
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Cross References
Romans 11:14
If by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them.
1 Peter 3:1
Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 4:17
For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
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Cross References
Acts 15:1
And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.
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Cross References
Romans 2:27
And will not the physically uncircumcised, if h...
Romans 2:29
But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circum...
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neithe...
Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor un...
Galatians 6:15
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor un...
Colossians 3:11
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcis...
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Cross References
John 15:14
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
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Cross References
John 8:36
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Romans 6:18
And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 9:21
To those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law.
Galatians 5:13
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Ephesians 6:6
Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
Colossians 3:24
Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
1 Peter 2:16
As free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.
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Cross References
Leviticus 25:42
For they are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves.
1 Corinthians 6:20
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Peter 1:18
Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers.
1 Peter 1:19
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
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Cross References
Ephesians 6:5 - 8
Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ.
Colossians 3:22 - 24
Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 8:8
I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 4:1
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
1 Timothy 1:13
Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
1 Timothy 1:16
However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
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Cross References
1 Timothy 1:12
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 7:1
Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
1 Corinthians 7:8
But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am.
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Cross References
Romans 13:11
And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
1 Corinthians 7:31
And those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.
1 Peter 4:7
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
2 Peter 3:8
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 9:18
What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.
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Cross References
Psalms 39:6
Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Sur...
1 Corinthians 7:29
But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so...
James 1:10
But the rich in his humiliation, because as a f...
James 4:14
Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorr...
1 Peter 1:24
Because "All flesh is as grass, And all the glo...
1 Peter 4:7
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore...
1 John 2:17
And the world is passing away, and the lust of ...
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Cross References
1 Timothy 5:5
Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
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Cross References
Luke 10:40
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.
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Cross References
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
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Cross References
Romans 7:2
For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 7:6
But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment.
1 Corinthians 7:25
Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy.
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Cross References
1 Thessalonians 4:8
Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.