^{32 Ref} But it is my desire for you to be free from cares. The unmarried man gives his mind to the things of the Lord, how he may give pleasure to the Lord:

^{33 Ref} But the married man gives his attention to the things of this world, how he may give pleasure to his wife.

^{34 Ref} And the wife is not the same as the virgin. The virgin gives her mind to the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in body and in spirit: but the married woman takes thought for the things of the world, how she may give pleasure to her husband.

^{35 Ref} Now I say this for your profit; not to make things hard for you, but because of what is right, and so that you may be able to give all your attention to the things of the Lord.

³⁶ But if, in any man's opinion, he is not doing what is right for his virgin, if she is past her best years, and there is need for it, let him do what seems right to him; it is no sin; let them be married.

³⁷ But the man who is strong in mind and purpose, who is not forced but has control over his desires, does well if he comes to the decision to keep her a virgin.

^{38 Ref} So then, he who gets married to his virgin does well, and he who keeps her unmarried does better.

^{39 Ref} It is right for a wife to be with her husband as long as he is living; but when her husband is dead, she is free to be married to another; but only to a Christian.

^{40 Ref} But it will be better for her to keep as she is, in my opinion: and it seems to me that I have the Spirit of God.