Letters to the Churches

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing: but the observance of the commandments of God.

Let every man abide in the same calling in which he was called.

Wast thou called, being a bondman? Care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

For he that is called in the Lord, being a bondman, is the freeman of the Lord. Likewise he that is called, being free, is the bondman of Christ.

You are bought with a price: be not made the bondslaves of men.

Brethren, let every man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God.

Now, concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give counsel, as having obtained mercy of the Lord, to be faithful.

I think therefore that this is good for the present necessity: that it is good for a man so to be.

Art thou bound to a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife.

But if thou take a wife, thou hast not sinned. And if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned: nevertheless, such shall have tribulation of the flesh. But I spare you.

This therefore I say, brethren: The time is short. It remaineth, that they also who have wives be as if they had none:

And they that weep, as though they wept not: and they that rejoice, as if they rejoiced not: and they that buy as if they possessed not:

And they that use this world, as if they used it not. For the fashion of this world passeth away.

But I would have you to be without solicitude. He that is without a wife is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord: how he may please God.

But he that is with a wife is solicitous for the things of the world: how he may please his wife. And he is divided.

And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinketh on the things of the Lord: that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she that is married thinketh on the things of the world: how she may please her husband.

And this I speak for your profit, not to cast a snare upon you, but for that which is decent and which may give you power to attend upon the Lord, without impediment.

But if any man think that he seemeth dishonoured with regard to his virgin, for that she is above the age, and it must so be: let him do what he will. He sinneth not if she marry.

For he that hath determined, being steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but having power of his own will: and hath judged this in his heart, to keep his virgin, doth well.

Therefore both he that giveth his virgin in marriage doth well: and he that giveth her not doth better.

A woman is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth: but if her husband die, she is at liberty. Let her marry to whom she will: only in the Lord.

But more blessed shall she be, if she so remain, according to my counsel. And I think that I also have the spirit of God.

Now concerning those things that are sacrificed to idols: we know we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up: but charity edifieth.

And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he hath not yet known as he ought to know.

But if any man love God, the same is known by him.