I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: {It is} good for a man not to touch a woman.

Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.

And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. {despiseth: or, rejecteth}

Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:

I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

And account {that} the longsuffering of our Lord {is} salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

But I speak this by permission, {and} not of commandment.

Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.

And herein I give {my} advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. {forward: Gr. willing}

It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. {despiseth: or, rejecteth}

Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

And unto the married I command, {yet} not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from {her} husband:

Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.