25. Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgement as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy.
26. Therefore I think that because of the distress that is on us, that it’s good for a man to remain as he is.
27. Are you bound to a wife? Don’t seek to be freed. Are you free from a wife? Don’t seek a wife.
28. But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you.
29. But I say this, brothers: the time is short, that from now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none;
30. and those who weep, as though they didn’t weep; and those who rejoice, as though they didn’t rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn’t possess;
31. and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away.
32. But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;