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1. Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to live a celibate life.
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1. Now G1161 concerning G4012 the things whereof G3739 ye wrote G1125 unto me G3427 : It is good G2570 for a man G444 not G3361 to touch G680 a woman G1135 .
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2. But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.
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2. Nevertheless G1161 , to avoid G1223 fornication G4202 , let every man G1538 have G2192 his own G1438 wife G1135 , and G2532 let every woman G1538 have G2192 her own G2398 husband G435 .
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3. The husband should fulfill his wife's sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband's needs.
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3. Let the G3588 husband G435 render G591 unto the G3588 wife G1135 due G3784 benevolence G2133 : and G1161 likewise G3668 also G2532 the G3588 wife G1135 unto the G3588 husband G435 .
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4. The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife.
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4. The G3588 wife G1135 hath not power G1850 G3756 of her own G2398 body G4983 , but G235 the G3588 husband G435 : and G1161 likewise G3668 also G2532 the G3588 husband G435 hath not power G1850 G3756 of his own G2398 body G4983 , but G235 the G3588 wife G1135 .
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5. Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won't be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
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5. Defraud G650 ye not G3361 one the other G240 , except G1509 G302 it be with G1537 consent G4859 for G4314 a time G2540 , that G2443 ye may give yourselves G4980 to fasting G3521 and G2532 prayer G4335 ; and G2532 come together G4905 again G3825 , that G2443 Satan G4567 tempt G3985 you G5209 not G3361 for G1223 your G5216 incontinency G192 .
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6. I say this as a concession, not as a command.
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6. But G1161 I speak G3004 this G5124 by G2596 permission G4774 , and not G3756 of G2596 commandment G2003 .
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7. But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. But God gives to some the gift of marriage, and to others the gift of singleness.
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7. For G1063 I would G2309 that all G3956 men G444 were G1511 even as G5613 G2532 I myself G1683 . But G235 every man G1538 hath G2192 his proper G2398 gift G5486 of G1537 God G2316 , one G3739 G3303 after this manner G3779 , and G1161 another G3739 after that G3779 .
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8. So I say to those who aren't married and to widows-- it's better to stay unmarried, just as I am.
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8. I say G3004 therefore G1161 to the G3588 unmarried G22 and G2532 widows G5503 , It is G2076 good G2570 for them G846 if G1437 they abide G3306 even as I G2504 G5613 .
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9. But if they can't control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It's better to marry than to burn with lust.
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9. But G1161 if G1487 they cannot contain G1467 G3756 , let them marry G1060 : for G1063 it is G2076 better G2909 to marry G1060 than G2228 to burn G4448 .
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10. But for those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord. A wife must not leave her husband.
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10. And G1161 unto the G3588 married G1060 I command G3853 , yet not G3756 I G1473 , but G235 the G3588 Lord G2962 , Let not G3361 the wife G1135 depart G5563 from G575 her husband G435 :
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11. But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to him. And the husband must not leave his wife.
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11. But G1161 and G2532 if G1437 she depart G5563 , let her remain G3306 unmarried G22 , or G2228 be reconciled G2644 to her husband G435 : and G2532 let not G3361 the husband G435 put away G863 his wife G1135 .
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12. Now, I will speak to the rest of you, though I do not have a direct command from the Lord. If a Christian man has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to continue living with him, he must not leave her.
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12. But G1161 to the G3588 rest G3062 speak G3004 I G1473 , not G3756 the G3588 Lord G2962 : If any G1536 brother G80 hath G2192 a wife G1135 that believeth not G571 , and G2532 she G846 be pleased G4909 to dwell G3611 with G3326 him G846 , let him not G3361 put her away G863 G846 .
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13. And if a Christian woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him.
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13. And G2532 the woman G1135 which G3748 hath G2192 a husband G435 that believeth not G571 , and G2532 if he G846 be pleased G4909 to dwell G3611 with G3326 her G846 , let her not G3361 leave G863 him G846 .
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14. For the Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the Christian husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy.
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14. For G1063 the G3588 unbelieving G571 husband G435 is sanctified G37 by G1722 the G3588 wife G1135 , and G2532 the G3588 unbelieving G571 wife G1135 is sanctified G37 by G1722 the G3588 husband G435 : else G1893 G686 were G2076 your G5216 children G5043 unclean G169 ; but G1161 now G3568 are G2076 they holy G40 .
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15. (But if the husband or wife who isn't a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the Christian husband or wife is no longer bound to the other, for God has called you to live in peace.)
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15. But G1161 if G1487 the G3588 unbelieving G571 depart G5563 , let him depart G5563 . A brother G80 or G2228 a sister G79 is not G3756 under bondage G1402 in G1722 such G5108 cases : but G1161 God G2316 hath called G2564 us G2248 to G1722 peace G1515 .
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16. Don't you wives realize that your husbands might be saved because of you? And don't you husbands realize that your wives might be saved because of you?
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16. For G1063 what G5101 knowest G1492 thou , O wife G1135 , whether G1487 thou shalt save G4982 thy husband G435 ? or G2228 how G5101 knowest G1492 thou , O man G435 , whether G1487 thou shalt save G4982 thy wife G1135 ?
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17. Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches.
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17. But G1508 as G5613 God G2316 hath distributed G3307 to every man G1538 , as G5613 the G3588 Lord G2962 hath called G2564 every one G1538 , so G3779 let him walk G4043 . And G2532 so G3779 ordain G1299 I in G1722 all G3956 churches G1577 .
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18. For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now.
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18. Is any man G5100 called G2564 being circumcised G4059 ? let him not G3361 become uncircumcised G1986 . Is any G5100 called G2564 in G1722 uncircumcision G203 ? let him not G3361 be circumcised G4059 .
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19. For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God's commandments.
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19. Circumcision G4061 is G2076 nothing G3762 , and G2532 uncircumcision G203 is G2076 nothing G3762 , but G235 the keeping G5084 of the commandments G1785 of God G2316 .
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20. Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you.
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20. Let every man G1538 G1722 G5026 abide G3306 in G1722 the same G3588 calling G2821 wherein G3739 he was called G2564 .
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21. Are you a slave? Don't let that worry you-- but if you get a chance to be free, take it.
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21. Art thou called G2564 being a servant G1401 ? care G3199 not G3361 for G4671 it: but G235 if G1487 thou mayest G1410 be made G1096 free G1658 , use G5530 it rather G3123 .
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22. And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ.
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22. For G1063 he that is called G2564 in G1722 the Lord G2962 , being a servant G1401 , is G2076 the Lord G2962 's freeman G558 : likewise G3668 also G2532 he that is called G2564 , being free G1658 , is G2076 Christ G5547 's servant G1401 .
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23. God paid a high price for you, so don't be enslaved by the world.
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23. Ye are bought G59 with a price G5092 ; be G1096 not G3361 ye the servants G1401 of men G444 .
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24. Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.
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24. Brethren G80 , let every man G1538 , wherein G1722 G3739 he is called G2564 , therein G1722 G5129 abide G3306 with G3844 God G2316 .
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25. Now regarding your question about the young women who are not yet married. I do not have a command from the Lord for them. But the Lord in his mercy has given me wisdom that can be trusted, and I will share it with you.
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25. Now G1161 concerning G4012 virgins G3933 I have G2192 no G3756 commandment G2003 of the Lord G2962 : yet G1161 I give G1325 my judgment G1106 , as G5613 one that hath obtained mercy G1653 of G5259 the Lord G2962 to be G1511 faithful G4103 .
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26. Because of the present crisis, I think it is best to remain as you are.
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26. I suppose G3543 therefore G3767 that this G5124 is G5225 good G2570 for G1223 the G3588 present G1764 distress G318 , I say , that G3754 it is good G2570 for a man G444 so G3779 to be G1511 .
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27. If you have a wife, do not seek to end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to get married.
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27. Art thou bound G1210 unto a wife G1135 ? seek G2212 not G3361 to be loosed G3080 . Art thou loosed G3089 from G575 a wife G1135 ? seek G2212 not G3361 a wife G1135 .
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28. But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a sin. However, those who get married at this time will have troubles, and I am trying to spare you those problems.
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28. But G1161 and G2532 if G1437 thou marry G1060 , thou hast not G3756 sinned G264 ; and G2532 if G1437 a virgin G3933 marry G1060 , she hath not G3756 sinned G264 . Nevertheless G1161 such G5108 shall have G2192 trouble G2347 in the G3588 flesh G4561 : but G1161 I G1473 spare G5339 you G5216 .
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29. But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage.
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29. But G1161 this G5124 I say G5346 , brethren G80 , the G3588 time G2540 is short G4958 : it remaineth G2076 G3063 , that G2443 both G2532 they that have G2192 wives G1135 be G5600 as though G5613 they had G2192 none G3361 ;
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30. Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions.
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30. And G2532 they that weep G2799 , as though G5613 they wept G2799 not G3361 ; and G2532 they that rejoice G5463 , as though G5613 they rejoiced G5463 not G3361 ; and G2532 they that buy G59 , as though G5613 they possessed G2722 not G3361 ;
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31. Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.
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31. And G2532 they that use G5530 this G5129 world G2889 , as G5613 not G3361 abusing G2710 it: for G1063 the G3588 fashion G4976 of this G5127 world G2889 passeth away G3855 .
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32. I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord's work and thinking how to please him.
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32. But G1161 I would G2309 have G1511 you G5209 without carefulness G275 . He that is unmarried G22 careth for G3309 the things G3588 that belong to the G3588 Lord G2962 , how G4459 he may please G700 the G3588 Lord G2962 :
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33. But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife.
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33. But G1161 he that is married G1060 careth for G3309 the things G3588 that are of the G3588 world G2889 , how G4459 he may please G700 his wife G1135 .
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34. His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband.
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34. There is difference also between G3307 a wife G1135 and G2532 a virgin G3933 . The G3588 unmarried woman G22 careth for G3309 the things G3588 of the G3588 Lord G2962 , that G2443 she may be G5600 holy G40 both G2532 in body G4983 and G2532 in spirit G4151 : but G1161 she that is married G1060 careth for G3309 the things G3588 of the G3588 world G2889 , how G4459 she may please G700 her husband G435 .
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35. I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.
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35. And G1161 this G5124 I speak G3004 for G4314 your own G5216 G846 profit G4851 ; not G3756 that G2443 I may cast G1911 a snare G1029 upon you G5213 , but G235 for G4314 that which is comely G2158 , and G2532 that ye may attend upon G2145 the G3588 Lord G2962 without distraction G563 .
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36. But if a man thinks that he's treating his fianc�e improperly and will inevitably give in to his passion, let him marry her as he wishes. It is not a sin.
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36. But G1161 if G1487 any man G5100 think G3543 that he behaveth himself uncomely G807 toward G1909 his G848 virgin G3933 , if G1437 she pass the flower of her age G5600 G5230 , and G2532 need G3784 so G3779 require G1096 , let him do G4160 what G3739 he will G2309 , he sinneth G264 not G3756 : let them marry G1060 .
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37. But if he has decided firmly not to marry and there is no urgency and he can control his passion, he does well not to marry.
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37. Nevertheless G1161 he G3739 that standeth G2476 steadfast G1476 in G1722 his heart G2588 , having G2192 no G3361 necessity G318 , but G1161 hath G2192 power G1849 over G4012 his own G2398 will G2307 , and G2532 hath so G5124 decreed G2919 in G1722 his G848 heart G2588 that he will keep G5083 his G1438 virgin G3933 , doeth G4160 well G2573 .
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38. So the person who marries his fianc�e does well, and the person who doesn't marry does even better.
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38. So then G5620 G2532 he that giveth her in marriage G1547 doeth G4160 well G2573 ; but G1161 he that giveth her not in marriage G1547 G3361 doeth G4160 better G2908 .
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39. A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord.
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39. The wife G1135 is bound G1210 by the law G3551 as long as G1909 G3745 G5550 her G848 husband G435 liveth G2198 ; but G1161 if G1437 her G848 husband G435 be dead G2837 , she is G2076 at liberty G1658 to be married G1060 to whom G3739 she will G2309 ; only G3440 in G1722 the Lord G2962 .
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40. But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God's Spirit when I say this.
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40. But G1161 she is G2076 happier G3107 if G1437 she so G3779 abide G3306 , after G2596 my G1699 judgment G1106 : and G1161 I think G1380 also that I G2504 have G2192 the Spirit G4151 of God G2316 .
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