Modern Literal Version
[1 Corinthians 7]

     ^7:1 Now concerning the things of which you^* wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman sexually.^7:2 But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife and let each woman have her own husband. ^7:3 Let the husband repay to the wife her owed benevolence and likewise also the wife repay to the husband. ^7:4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband, and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife. ^7:5 Do^* not deprive one another, except from agreement for some time, in order that you^* may occupy yourselves to fasting and to prayer, and you^* may come to the same again, in order that the Adversary may not tempt you^* because of your^* shortage of self-control. ^7:6 But I am saying this according to concession, not according to commandment. ^7:7 For^* I wish all men to be even as I myself am. But each one has his own gift^* from God, indeed the one is so and the one is thus.

     ^7:8 But I am saying to the unmarried and to the widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am. ^7:9 But if they do not exercise self-control, let^* them marry; for^* it is better to marry than to be on fire. ^7:10 But I command to those who have married, (not I, but the Lord): the wife is not to be separated from her husband, ^7:11 (but even if she is separated, let her remain unmarried, or let her be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband is not to leave his wife.

     ^7:12 But to the rest I say, (not the Lord); if some brother has an unbelieving wife and she consents to dwell with him, let him not leave her. ^7:13 And if a wife who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to dwell with her, let her not leave him. ^7:14 For^* the unbelieving husband has been made holy by the wife and the unbelieving wife has been made holy by the husband. Consequently^* otherwise, your^* children were unclean, but now they are holy. ^7:15 But if the unbelieving spouse separates, let the one separate; the brother or the sister has not been enslaved in such things. Now God has called us in peace. ^7:16 For^* what do you know O wife, if you will be saving your husband? Or what do you know O husband, if you will be saving your wife?

     ^7:17 Except, as God divided to each one, as the Lord has called each, so let him walk. And so I myself am commanding in all the congregations^*. ^7:18 Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not be uncircumcised. Was anyone called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. ^7:19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. ^7:20 Let each one remain in this calling in which he was called. ^7:21 Were you called being a bondservant? Let it not be a care to you, but if you are also able to become free; use it rather. ^7:22 For^* he who was called in the Lord, having been a bondservant, is the Lord's freedman; likewise, the free one who was called, is Christ's bondservant. ^7:23 You^* were bought with a price; do^* not become bondservants of men. ^7:24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in this thing in which he was called.

     ^7:25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment from the Lord, but I am giving my viewpoint, as one who has been shown-mercy by the Lord to be faithful. ^7:26 Therefore I suppose this to be^* good, because of the present calamity; that it is good for a man to be thus. ^7:27 Have you been bound to a wife? Do not seek divorce. Have you been loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. ^7:28 But even if you marry, you did not sin, and if the virgin marries, she did not sin. But such will have affliction in the flesh, and I would spare you^*.

     ^7:29 But I am saying this, brethren, the time is limited, furthermore it is that^* both those who have wives may be as though they did not have one; ^7:30 and those who weep, as though not weeping, and those who rejoice, as though not rejoicing, and those who buy, as though not having; ^7:31 and those who use this world, as though not making full use of it; for^* the fashion of this world is passing away.

     ^7:32 But I wish for you^* to be carefree. He who is unmarried is anxious for the things of the Lord, how he will be pleasing the Lord; ^7:33 but he who has married is anxious for the things of the world, how he may please the wife. ^7:34 He has been divided. And the unmarried woman, (also the virgin), is anxious for the things of the Lord, in order that she may be holy both in body and in spirit, but she who is married is anxious for the things of the world, how she will be pleasing the husband. ^7:35 Now, I say this thing is advantageous for yourselves, not in order that I may cast a noose upon you^*, but a non-distraction for the decent, and devoted in the Lord.

     ^7:36 But if anyone supposes he is behaving improperly over his virgin, if she is beyond her prime and thus it ought to happen, let her do^* what she wills; she is not sinning; let^* them marry.

     ^7:37 But he who stands, grounded in his heart, not having necessity, but has the authority concerning his own will, and he has decided this in his own heart to keep his own virgin {Or: keep of himself virgin}, he does^* well. ^7:38 So-then both he who betroths does^* well, and he who does not betroth is doing^* better.

     ^7:39 A wife has been bound by law inasmuch time as the husband is living, but if the husband should be fallen-asleep {i.e. dead}, she is free to be married to whom she wills, but only in the Lord. ^7:40 But she is fortunate if she remains so, according to my viewpoint, and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

Modern Literal Version Preface & Appendix , copyright 1987, 1999, 2013 by G. Allen Walker for the MLV New Testament Committee.
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