he is
called, therein abide with God.

(25)Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord; but I
offer my opinion, as having obtained mercy from the Lord to be
faithful. (26)I think then that this is becoming, considering our
present straits, that it is proper for a man to be thus. (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 thou shouldst marry, thou hast not sinned;
and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned; though such will have
tribulation in the flesh; but I spare you.

(29)Now this I say, brethren, that the time is short. The conclusion
is, that even they who have wives, should be as though they had not;
(30)and they who weep as though they wept not; and they who rejoice as
though they rejoiced not; and they that purchase as though they
possessed not; (31)and they who use this world, as not abusing it: for
the fashion of this world passeth away. (32)But I would have you to be
free from anxiety. He who is unmarried is anxious for the things of the
Lord, how he shall please the Lord: (33)but he who is married is
anxious about the things of the world, how he shall please his wife.
(34)A wife and a virgin hath different pursuits: the unmarried woman is
anxious about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body
and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about the things of the
world, how she shall please her husband. (35)Now I say this for your
own advantage, and not that I should lay a snare in your way, but as
what is seemly, and that you may wait on the Lord without distraction.
(36)But if a person supposes it would be unseemly for a virgin of his
if she should pass the flower of her age _in celibacy_, and that duty
directs it should be so, let him do as he is inclined, he doth not sin:
let such marry. (37)But he that is stedfast in his heart, not having
any necessity, but retaineth power over his own inclination, and hath
determined this in his heart that he will preserve his own virgin
state, doeth well. (38)Wherefore though he who giveth in marriage doeth
well, yet he who avoids a matrimonial connection, doeth better.

(39)The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth: but if
her husband be dead, she is free to be married to whomsoever she will,
but only in the Lord. (40)But she is more blessed if she abide as she
is, in my opinion: and I think I have the spirit of God.

CHAP. VIII.

NOW concerning the