ot for it; but if thou
canst become free, use it rather. (22)For he that was called in the
Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freedman; in like manner also the
freeman, being called, is Christ's servant. (23)Ye were bought with a
price; become not servants of men. (24)Brethren, let every man,
wherein he was called, therein abide with God.

(25)Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord; but I
give my judgment, as one that has obtained mercy of the Lord to be
faithful. (26)I consider therefore that this is good on account of the
present necessity, that it is good for a man so to be. (27)Art thou
bound to a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife?
Seek not a wife. (28)But if also thou marry, thou sinnedst not; and if
a virgin marry, she sinned not. But such shall have affliction in the
flesh; but I spare you[7:28].

(29)But this I say, brethren, the time that remains is short; that
both they who have wives may be as though they had none; (30)and they
that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though
they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
(31)and they that use this world, as not abusing it; for the fashion
of this world is passing away.

(32)But I would have you without cares. He that is unmarried cares for
the things of the Lord, how he shall please the Lord; (33)but he that
is married cares for the things of the world, how he shall please his
wife. (34)There is a difference also between the wife and the virgin.
The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be
holy both in body and spirit; but she that is married cares for the
things of the world, how she shall please her husband.

(35)And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare
upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon
the Lord without distraction. (36)But if any one thinks that he
behaves himself unseemly toward his virgin, if she be past the flower
of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sins not;
let them marry. (37)But he that stands steadfast in his heart, having
no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has determined this
in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. (38)So that both
he that gives her in marriage does well, and he that gives her not in
marriage does better.

(39)A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband
be dead, she is at liberty to be