35 I say this for your own benefit, (A)not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed,[a] if his[b] passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. 37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Greek virgin; also verses 37, 38
  2. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or her

35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided(A) devotion to the Lord.

36 If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong[a] and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning.(B) They should get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or if she is getting beyond the usual age for marriage