36^* If anyone thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, and if a critical moment has come^* and so it has to be, let him do as he wishes. He is committing no sin; let them get married. 37The one who stands firm in his resolve, however, who is not under compulsion but has power over his own will, and has made up his mind to keep his virgin, will be doing well. 38So then, the one who marries his virgin does well; the one who does not marry her will do better.

39^* A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whomever she wishes, provided that it be in the Lord.ⁿ 40She is more blessed, though, in my opinion, if she remains as she is, and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.^o