1 Corinthians 7:37
35 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.
36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- 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.
- KJV
- Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
- WEB
- But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no urgency, but has power over his own will, and has determined in his own heart to keep his own virgin, does well.
- ASV
- But he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power as touching in his own heart, to keep his own virgin [daughter], shall do well.
- DARBY
- But he who stands firm in his heart, having no need, but has authority over his own will, and has judged this in his heart to keep his own virginity, he does well.
- BLB
- But he who has stood steadfast in his heart, not having necessity but having authority over [his] own will, and has judged this in [his] own heart, to keep his own virgin, he will do well.
- ÅB
- Men den som står fast i sitt hjerte og ikke har noe som tvinger ham, men har frihet til å følge sin egen vilje og har satt seg dette fore i sitt hjerte at han vil holde sin datter ugift, han gjør vel.
- OTB
- Men den som står fast i sitt hjerte, ikke under tvang, men har kontroll over sin egen vilje, og har bestemt i sitt eget hjerte å beholde sin forlovede, vil gjøre godt.
- B1930
- Men den som står fast i sitt hjerte og ikke har noget som tvinger ham, men har frihet til å følge sin egen vilje og har satt sig dette fore i sitt hjerte at han vil holde sin datter ugift, han gjør vel.