The Unmarried and the Widowed
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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
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.