1 Corinthians 7:35

³³ But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife,

³⁴ and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the work of the Lord, how she can be holy in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, how she can please her husband.

I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but in order to promote proper decorum and undivided devotion to the Lord.

³⁶ However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, and if she is beyond her youth and they ought to marry, let him do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should get married.

³⁷ But the man who is firmly established in his heart and under no constraint, with control over his will and resolve in his heart not to marry the virgin, he will do well.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but in order to promote proper decorum and undivided devotion to the Lord.
KJV: 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.
WEB: This I say for your own benefit, not that I may ensnare you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Lord without distraction.
ASV: And 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.
DARBY: But I say this for your own profit; not that I may set a snare before you, but for what [is] seemly, and waiting on the Lord without distraction.
BLB: Now I say this for your⁺ own profit, not so that I might place upon you⁺ a restraint, but for what [is] seemly and devoted to the Lord, without distraction.

ÅB: Dette sier jeg til deres eget gagn, ikke for å sette en snare for dere, men for å fremme det som sømmer seg: å henge fast ved Herren.
OTB: Jeg sier dette for deres eget beste, ikke for å pålegge dere en begrensning, men for å fremme det som er riktig og for å sikre uforstyrret hengivenhet til Herren.
B1930: Dette sier jeg til eders eget gagn, ikke for å sette en snare for eder, men for å fremme det som sømmer sig: å henge fast ved Herren.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

1 Corinthians 7:33–34
But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife,
Read in context
1 Corinthians 7:36
However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, and if she is beyond her youth and they ought to marry, let him do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should get married.
Read in context
Luke 8:14
The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature.
Read in context
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
Read in context
1 Corinthians 7:2
But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.
Read in context
Luke 10:40–42
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!”
Read in context
Luke 21:34
But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.
Read in context
Matthew 19:12
For there are eunuchs who were born that way; others were made that way by men; and still others live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
Read in context