1 ^hNow concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to ⁱsexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her ^jconjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 ^kDo not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

6 Now ^las a concession, not a command, I say this.¹ 7 ^mI wish that all were ⁿas I myself am. But ^oeach has his own gift from God, ^pone of one kind and one of another.

8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 ^qBut if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not ^rseparate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.

12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.