^{25 Ref} Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy.

^{26 Ref} I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, `namely,' that it is good for a man to be as he is.

^{27 Ref} Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife.

^{28 Ref} But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you.

^{29 Ref} But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none;

^{30 Ref} and those that weep, as though they wept not; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those that buy, as though they possessed not;

^{31 Ref} and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

^{32 Ref} But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

^{33 Ref} but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife,

^{34 Ref} and is divided. `So' also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

^{35 Ref} And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

³⁶ But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin `daughter', if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them marry.

³⁷ But he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power as touching in his own heart, to keep his own virgin `daughter', shall do well.

^{38 Ref} So then both he that giveth his own virgin `daughter' in marriage doeth well; and he that giveth her not in marriage shall do better.

^{39 Ref} A wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

^{40 Ref} But she is happier if she abide as she is, after my judgment: and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.