American Standard Version ASV
New International Version NIV
8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
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 have not continency, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
9
But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 But unto the married I give charge, [yea] not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not 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 should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not 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 But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave 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 And the woman that hath an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell with her, let her not leave her husband.
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 sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother: else were your children unclean; but now are they 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 Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such [cases]: but God hath called us in 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 knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy 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, as the Lord hath distributed to each man, as God hath called each, so let him walk. And so ordain I 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 man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
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 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.
19
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts.
20 Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called.
20
Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
21 Wast thou called being a bondservant? Care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use [it] rather.
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 that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord's freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ's bondservant.
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 Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men.
23
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.
24 Brethren, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God.
24
Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.
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.