His disciples
say unto him,
If the case
of the man
be so
with his wife,
it is not good
to marry.
But
he said unto them,
All men
cannot receive
this saying,
save they
to whom it
is given.
For there are some eunuchs,
which were so born
from their mother's womb:
and there are
some eunuchs,
which were made eunuchs
of men:
and there be
eunuchs,
which have made
themselves eunuchs
for the kingdom
of heaven's sake.
He that is able
to receive it,
let him receive it.
Now concerning the things
whereof
ye wrote unto me:
It is good
for a man not
to touch a woman.
Nevertheless,
to avoid fornication,
let every man
have his own wife,
and let every woman
have her own husband.
For I
would that all men
were
even as I myself.
But every man
hath his proper gift
of God,
one after this manner,
and another
after that.
I say therefore
to the unmarried
and widows,
It is good
for them
if they
abide even as I.
But
if they
cannot contain,
let them marry:
for it
is better
to marry than to burn.
Now concerning virgins
I have no commandment
of the Lord:
yet I
give
my judgment,
as one
that hath obtained mercy
of the Lord
to be faithful.
I suppose therefore
that this
is good
for the present distress,
I say,
that it
is good
for a man so to be.
But
I would have you
without carefulness.
He that is unmarried
careth
for the things
that belong
to the Lord,
how he
may please
the Lord:
But
he that is married
careth
for the things
that are of the world,
how he
may please
his wife.
There is difference
also between a wife
and a virgin.
The unmarried woman
careth
for the things
of the Lord,
that she
may be holy both
in body
and in spirit:
but
she that is married
careth
for the things
of the world,
how she
may please
her husband.
And this
I speak
for your own profit;
not
that I
may cast
a snare
upon you,
but for that which
is comely,
and
that ye
may attend upon the Lord
without distraction.
But
if any man
think
that he
behaveth himself
uncomely toward his virgin,
if she
pass the flower
of her age,
and need so require,
let him
do
what he will,
he sinneth not:
let them marry.
Nevertheless
he that
standeth stedfast
in his heart,
having no necessity,
but hath
power
over his own will,
and hath so
decreed
in his heart
that he
will keep
his virgin,
doeth well.
So then he
that
giveth
her in marriage
doeth well;
but he
that
giveth
her
not in marriage
doeth better.
The wife
is bound
by the law
as long
as her husband liveth;
but
if her husband
be dead,
she is at liberty
to be married
to whom she will;
only in the Lord.
But
she is happier
if she so abide,
after my judgment:
and
I think also that
I have
the Spirit
of God.
Now the Spirit
speaketh expressly,
that in the latter times
some shall depart
from the faith,
giving
heed
to seducing spirits,
and doctrines
of devils;
Speaking
lies
in hypocrisy;
having their conscience seared
with a hot iron;
Forbidding
to marry,
and commanding
to abstain
from meats,
which God
hath created
to be received
with thanksgiving
of them which
believe
and know
the truth.
These are
they which
were not defiled
with women;
for they
are virgins.
These are
they
which follow
the Lamb
whithersoever
he goeth.
These were redeemed from
among men,
being the firstfruits
unto God
and to the Lamb.