man is Christ's servant. [7:23]You are bought
with a price; be not servants of men. [7:24]Let each one continue,
brothers, in the calling in which he was called under God.

5 [7:25]And concerning the virgins I have no ordinance of the Lord, but
I give an opinion as one that has obtained mercy of the Lord to be
faithful. [7:26]I think then that this is good on account of the
present necessity, because it is good for man to be so. [7:27]Are you
bound to a wife, seek not a release; are you released from a wife, seek
not a wife. [7:28]But if you marry, you do not sin and if the virgin
marries she does not sin. But such will have affliction in the flesh;
but I spare you. [7:29]But this I say, brothers, the time is short, so
that in future those who have wives should be as those not having them,
[7:30]and those who weep as those not weeping, and those who rejoice as
those not rejoicing, and those who buy as not possessing, [7:31]and
those who use the world as those not abusing it; for the fashion of
this world passes away. [7:32] But I wish you to be without cares. The
unmarried man cares for the things of the Lord, how he shall please the
Lord; [7:33]but he that is married cares for the things of the world,
how he shall please the wife. [7:34]And the wife and the virgin are
different; the unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that
she may be holy in body and spirit; but she that is married cares for
the things of the world, how she shall please the husband. [7:35]But I
say this for your own profit; not to impose a snare on you, but for
[your] honor, and [your] attending on the Lord without distraction.

6 [7:36]But if any one thinks that he behaves improperly to his virgin,
if she is past her prime, and it must be so, let him do what he wishes;
he does not sin; let them marry. [7:37]But he that stands firm in mind,
not having a necessity, but has power over his will, and has determined
in his mind to keep his virgin, does well. [7:38]He that gives in
marriage therefore does well, and he that gives not in marriage does
better.

7 [7:39]A woman is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her
husband is dead then she is free to be married to whom she will; only
in the Lord. [7:40] But she is happier if she continues thus, in my
opinion, and I think also I have the Spirit of God.

8 [8:1]And concerning things offered to idols we all have knowledge.
Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. [8:2]And if any one thin