Bible Verses About Continence

You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not commit adultery.

But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Now concerning the things whereof you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

But for fear of fornication, let every man have his own wife: and let every woman have her own husband.

Let the husband render the debt to his wife: and the wife also in like manner to the husband.

The wife hath not power of her own body: but the husband. And in like manner the husband also hath not power of his own body: but the wife.

Defraud not one another, except, perhaps, by consent, for a time, that you may give yourselves to prayer: and return together again, lest Satan tempt you for your incontinency.

But I speak this by indulgence, not by commandment.

For I would that all men were even as myself. But every one hath his proper gift from God: one after this manner, and another after that.

But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they so continue, even as I.

But if they do not contain themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to be burnt.

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:

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.

An ancient man rebuke not, but entreat him as a father: young men, as brethren:

Old women, as mothers: young women, as sisters, in all chastity.

These are they who were not defiled with women: for they are virgins. These follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were purchased from among men, the firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.

And in their mouth there was found no lie: for they are without spot before the throne of God.