29But this I say, brethren, the time that remains is short; that both they who have wives may be as though they had none; 30and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; 31and they that use this world, as not abusing it; for the fashion of this world is passing away.
32But I would have you without cares. He that is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord, how he shall please the Lord; 33but he that is married cares for the things of the world, how he shall please his wife. 34There is a difference also between the wife and the virgin. The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but she that is married cares for the things of the world, how she shall please her husband.
35And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. 36But if any one thinks that he behaves himself unseemly toward his virgin, if she be past the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sins not; let them marry. 37But he that stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has determined this in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. 38So that both he that gives her in marriage does well, and he that gives her not in marriage does better.
39A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. 40But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment; and I too think that I have the Spirit of God.
VIII. Now concerning the things offered to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2If any one thinks that he knows anything, he has known nothing yet as he ought to know. 3But if any one loves God, the same is known by him.
4As concerning then the eating of the things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5For though there are gods so-called, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are gods many, and lords many), 6yet to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7But there is not in all men this knowledge; for some, with a consciousness till now of the idol, eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8But food commends us not to God; for neither, if we eat, are we the better; nor, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9But take heed, lest haply this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to the weak. 10For if any one sees thee, who hast knowledge, reclining at table in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat the things offered to idols? 11And through thy knowledge he that is weak perishes, the brother for whom Christ died! 12But when ye so sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13Wherefore, if food cause my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh for ever more, that I may not cause my brother to offend.
IX. 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? 2If I am not an apostle to others, yet at least I am to you; for the seal of my apostleship are ye in the Lord. 3This is my answer to those who examine me. 4Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5Have we not power to lead about a sister as a wife, as well as the other apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 6Or have only I and Barnabas not power to forbear working? 7Who ever goes to war at his own charges? Who plants a vineyard, and eats not of the fruit thereof? Or who tends a flock, and eats not of the milk of the flock?
8Say I these things as a man? Or does not the law also say these things? 9For it is written in the law of Moses: Thou shalt not muzzle an ox while treading out the grain. Is it for the oxen that God cares? 10Or does he say it altogether for our sakes? For, for our sakes it was written; that he who plows ought to plow in hope; and he who threshes, in hope of partaking. 11If we sowed for you, the things that are spiritual, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12If others partake of this power over you, do not we still more? But we used not this power; but we bear all things, that we may not cause any hindrance to the gospel of Christ.
13Do ye not know that they who minister about the holy things eat of the temple, and they who wait at the altar partake with the altar? 14So also did the Lord appoint to those who preach the gospel, to live by the gospel. 15But I have used none of these things; and I wrote not these things, that it should be so done to me; for it were better for me to die, than that any one should make my glorying void. 16For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for a necessity is laid upon me; for, woe is to me, if I preach not the gospel! 17For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if unwillingly, I have a stewardship intrusted to me.