7. I wish that all people were just like me. But each has his own gift from God, one person in this way and another in that way.
8. I say to the unmarried and to widows: It is good for them if they remain as I am.
9. But if they do not have self-control, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with desire.
10. I command the married — not I, but the Lord — a wife is not to leave her husband.
11. But if she does leave, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband — and a husband is not to leave his wife.
12. But I (not the Lord) say to the rest: If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not leave her.
13. Also, if any woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not leave her husband.
14. For the unbelieving husband is set apart for God by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is set apart for God by the husband. Otherwise your children would be corrupt, but now they are set apart for God.
15. But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace.
16. For you, wife, how do you know whether you will save your husband? Or you, husband, how do you know whether you will save your wife?
17. However, each one must live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called him. This is what I command in all the churches.
18. Was anyone already circumcised when he was called? He should not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised.
19. Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter, but keeping God’s commands does.
20. Each person should remain in the life situation in which he was called.
21. Were you called while a slave? It should not be a concern to you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity.
22. For he who is called by the Lord as a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ’s slave.
23. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
24. Brothers, each person should remain with God in whatever situation he was called.
25. About virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I do give an opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.