1 Corinthians 7:8-24

English Standard Version

⁸ To the unmarried and the widows I say that ^(A)it is good for them to remain single, ^(B)as I am. ⁹ But if they cannot exercise self-control, ^(C)they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

¹⁰ To the married ^(D)I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): ^(E)the wife should not separate from her husband ¹¹ (but if she does, ^(F)she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and ^(G)the husband should not divorce his wife.

¹² To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. ¹³ If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. ^(H)Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. ¹⁵ But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you^{[a] (I)}to peace. ¹⁶ For how do you know, wife, ^(J)whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Live as You Are Called

¹⁷ Only let each person lead the life^{[b] (K)}that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. ^(L)This is my rule in ^(M)all the churches. ¹⁸ Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? ^(N)Let him not seek circumcision. ^19 (O)For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but ^(P)keeping the commandments of God. ^20 (Q)Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. ²¹ Were you a bondservant^[c] when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) ²² For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is ^(R)a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is ^(S)a bondservant of Christ. ^23 (T)You were bought with a price; ^(U)do not become bondservants of men. ²⁴ So, brothers,^{[d] (V)}in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.