Principles of Marriage

Now for the matters about [which] you wrote me:[fn] [It is] good vvv vvv to abstain from sexual relations 2 But because [there is so much] sexual immorality, each man should have his [own] wife, and each woman [her] own husband.

3 

The husband should render the affection due[fn] to [his] wife, and likewise the wife to [her] husband. 4 The wife [does] not have authority over [her] own body, but the husband. Likewise the husband [does] not have authority over [his] own body, but the wife.

5 

{Do} not deprive each other, except by mutual consent [and] for a time, so you may devote yourselves to fasting and[fn] to prayer. Then come together again, so that Satan vvv will not tempt you through your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 For[fn] I wish that all men were as I [am]. But each [man] has his own gift from God, one [in] this [way] and another [in] that.[fn]

8 

Now to the unmarried and widows I say [this]: It is good for them vvv to remain [unmarried], as I [am]. 9 But if vvv they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

10 

To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife vvv must not separate from [her] husband. 11 But if she [does], she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to [her] husband. And a husband vvv must not divorce [his] wife.

12 

To the rest I say this ([I,] not the Lord): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, vvv he must not divorce her. 13 And [if] a woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, vvv she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through [his] [believing] wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through [her] [believing] husband.[fn] Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.

15 

But if the unbeliever leaves, let him go. The [ believing ] brother or sister vvv is not bound in such [cases]. God has called us[fn] [to live] in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save [your] husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save [your] wife?

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