1 Corinthians 7:1-11

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Directions concerning Marriage

7 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to touch a woman.” ² But because of cases of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. ³ The husband should give to his wife what is due her and likewise the wife to her husband.^{(A) 4} For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. ⁵ Do not deprive one another except perhaps by agreement for a set time, to devote yourselves to prayer,^[a] and then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.^{(B) 6} This I say by way of concession, not of command.^{(C) 7} I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind.^(D)

⁸ To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain unmarried as I am.^{(E) 9} But if they are not practicing self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.^(F)

¹⁰ To the married I give this command—not I but the Lord—that the wife should not separate from her husband^{(G) 11} (but if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband) and that the husband should not divorce his wife.