English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman."
1
Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”
2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.
2
But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.
3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.
3
The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.
4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
4
The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.
5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
5
Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this.
6
I say this as a concession, not as a command.
7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
7
I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am.
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 burn 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 this charge (not I, but the Lord): 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, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and 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 (I, 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 made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of 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 separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called youto 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 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, 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?
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
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.