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Now, concerning the things in your iggeret, let’s take up the next inyan (topic): “it is beneficial for a man not to touch an isha” [i.e., postpone the chasunoh (wedding)].

But, because of the acts of zenut, let each Ben Adam have his own Isha, and let each Isha have her own Ba’al (Husband).

Let the ba’al render the conjugal choiv (debt) to his isha, and likewise also the isha to her ba’al (husband).

It is not the isha who has samchut (authority) over her own body, but the ba’al (husband); likewise, also it is not the ba’al (husband) who has samchut over his own body, but the isha.

Do not deprive each other, unless by agreement for a set time, that you may renew zerizut (diligence) to tefillah (prayer) and again you may be together, lest Hasatan lead you into nissayon (temptation) because of your lack of shlitah atzmi (self-control). [SHEMOT 19:15; SHMUEL ALEF 21:4,5]

But I say this according to concession (T.N. in view of 5:1-5; 6:12-20), not according to [Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach’s] mitzvoh.

But, I wish kol Bnei Adam even to be as I am; however, [this is impossible since] each has his own matanah (gift) from Hashem: one this; and another that.

But, I say to the bochrim and the almanot (widows), it is beneficial for them if they remain as I am;

But if they do not have shlitah atzmi, let them marry. For better it is to marry than with Eish to be set ablaze.

10 But to the ones having entered bibrit hanissuim (in covenant of marriage), I charge, not I but Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu, an isha is not to separate from her ba’al (husband). [Mal 2:14-16]

11 But, if indeed she is separated, let her remain so, or be reconciled to her basherter; and a ba’al should not leave his isha.

12 But, to the rest I‖Sha’ul‖not Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu, say: if any Ach b’Moshiach has an isha who is an Apikoros and she is willing to live with him, let him not leave her;

13 And if an isha has a ba’al (husband) who is an Apikoros, and he is willing to dwell with her, let her not leave her ba’al (husband).

14 For, [T.N. following the principle of bikkurim], the ba’al who is an Apikoros is mekudash b’Ruach Hakodesh (set apart as holy in the Ruach Hakodesh) by the isha, and the isha who is an Apikoros likewise by the Ach b’Moshiach; otherwise, your yeladim are tema’im (unclean); but now they are tehorim (clean). [MALACHI 2:15]

15 But, if the one who is an Apikoros separates and departs, let the separation occur; the Ach b’Moshiach has not been enslaved, or the Achot b’Moshiach in such cases; but Hashem has given you a kri’ah b’shalom.

16 For how do you know, isha, if you will not bring your basherter (destined mate), your ba’al, to Yeshu’at Eloheinu?

17 Only each of you walk the derech [T.N. according to Hashem’s tochnit or etzah Ro 8:28] to which you were called by Hashem (TEHILLIM 1:6). This is my charge in all the kehillot of Moshiach.

18 If as a ben Berit with bris milah anyone received their kri’ah, let him not conceal it; if anyone without bris milah has been called, let him without bris milah not undergo bris milah.

19 Bris milah is not everything; nor is the lack of it; but being shomer mitzvot Hashem.

20 Each one walk the derech of his kri’ah (calling, summons), and remain there.

21 If while a bond servant you were called, do not let it consume you, although if you can gain your deror ("freedom, liberty" VAYIKRA 25:10), do so.

22 For, the one in Hashem having been called while a bond servant is [Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach] Adoneinu’s ben Chorin (freedman); likewise, the one having been called while a ben Chorin is the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach’s bond servant.

23 You were bought with a pidyon nefesh price; do not become avadim haBnei Adam.

24 Each one wherever on the derech of Chayyim he was called, Achim b’Moshiach, there let him remain in deveykus with Hashem.

25 Next sugya (topic): concerning the betulot (virgins). A mitzvoh of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu I do not have, but a bit of wisdom I offer as one who by the rachamim Hashem is ne’eman (faithful).

26 I consider therefore, it to be beneficial, because of the impending Crisis (T.N. i.e., the Chevlei Moshiach and eschatological woes preceding the Bias Moshiach) that you remain as you are.

27 Have you entered bibrit hanissuim (in covenant of marriage) with an isha? Do not seek to be free. Are you freed from an isha? Do not seek an isha.

28 But if indeed you enter bibrit hanissuim (in covenant of marriage), there is no chet; and if the betulah (virgin) marries, there is no averah in that for her. But such will have tzoros in the basar, which I am trying to spare you (Mt.24:19).

29 Now this I say, Achim b’Moshiach, the time [until HaKetz] has been shortened. From now on, let those having nashim live as if not having nashim,

30 And let the ones weeping as not weeping, and let the ones having simcha as not having simcha, and let the ones buying as not possessing,

31 And let the ones using the Olam Hazeh as not fully using it, for the present form of the Olam Hazeh is passing away.

32 But I would have you free from atzvat lev (heartache). The ben Adam without isha cares for the things of Hashem, how he may please Hashem.

33 But the one having taken an isha cares for the things of the Olam Hazeh, how he may please his isha,

34 And he has been divided (1:13). Both the isha free of a ba’al or the betulah cares for the things of Hashem, that she may be tehorah spiritually and physically. But the isha with a ba’al cares for the things of the Olam Hazeh, how she may please her ba’al.

35 Now, this I say for your own benefit, not that I may throw a noose on your deror (“freedom” VAYIKRA 25:10), but I speak with respect to what is decent, seemly, and sits well with Hashem, without distraction [in avodas kodesh]. [TEHILLIM 86:11]

36 However, if anyone thnks he does not have proper hitnahagut (conduct) toward the betulah of his eirusin (betrothal, engagement), and if he thinks his basherte (destined mate) is getting along in years, and thus it has to be, what he desires, let him do; there is no chet, let them enter bibrit hanissuim (in convenant of marriage).

37 But he who in his lev has settled the decision, not having the need [of conjugal intimacy], but having mastery concerning his own desire, and thus he in his lev has decided, not to enter bibrit hanissuim with his betulah (virgin), he does well.

38 So then both the one entering bibrit hanissuim with his betulah does well, and the one not entering bebrit hanissuim with his arusah (betrothed) will do better (7:34).

39 An isha has been bound (bibrit hanissuim, in covenant of marriage) for so long a time as her ba’al lives, but if her ba’al should sleep the sleep of the mesim, she is free to enter bibrit hanissuim with the ba’al she desires, but only in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu.

40 However, happy is she, and even more so, if she remains as she is; and I think in this bit of wisdom I am offering that I have the Ruach Hakodesh.

Concerning Married Life

Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”(A) But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife,(B) and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time,(C) so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan(D) will not tempt you(E) because of your lack of self-control. I say this as a concession, not as a command.(F) I wish that all of you were as I am.(G) But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.(H)

Now to the unmarried[a] and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.(I) But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry,(J) for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.(K) 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband.(L) And a husband must not divorce his wife.

12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord):(M) 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 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 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.(N)

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.(O) 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save(P) your husband?(Q) Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Concerning Change of Status

17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.(R) This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.(S) 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.(T) 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing.(U) Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.(V)

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 the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person;(W) similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.(X) 23 You were bought at a price;(Y) do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.(Z)

Concerning the Unmarried

25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord,(AA) but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy(AB) is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.(AC) 27 Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.(AD) 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned;(AE) and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short.(AF) From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.(AG)

32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs(AH)—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.(AI) But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided(AJ) devotion to the Lord.

36 If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong[b] and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning.(AK) They should get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right,(AL) but he who does not marry her does better.[c]

39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives.(AM) But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.(AN) 40 In my judgment,(AO) she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:8 Or widowers
  2. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or if she is getting beyond the usual age for marriage
  3. 1 Corinthians 7:38 Or 36 If anyone thinks he is not treating his daughter properly, and if she is getting along in years (or if her passions are too strong), and he feels she ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. He should let her get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind to keep the virgin unmarried—this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who gives his virgin in marriage does right, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.