Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain single as I do.
8
Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.
9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.
9
But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 To the married I give charge, not I but the Lord, that the wife should not separate from her husband
10
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.
11 (but if she does, let her remain single or else be reconciled to her husband) --and that the husband should not divorce his wife.
11
But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
12 To the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.
12
To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.
13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.
13
And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.
14 For the unbelieving husband is consecrated through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is consecrated through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy.
14
For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
15 But if the unbelieving partner desires to separate, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. For God has called us to peace.
15
But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.
16 Wife, how do you know whether you will save your husband? Husband, how do you know whether you will save your wife?
16
How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
17 Only, let every one lead the life which the Lord has assigned to him, and in which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.
17
Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
18 Was any one at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was any one at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.
18
Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.
19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
19
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts.
20 Every one should remain in the state in which he was called.
20
Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
21 Were you a slave when called? Never mind. But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.
21
Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.
22 For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.
22
For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.
23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
23
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.
24 So, brethren, in whatever state each was called, there let him remain with God.
24
Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.