What I am saying is not said according to God, but as if in foolishness, in this matter of glorying.
Concerning the rest, I am speaking, not the Lord. If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.
Now, concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord. But I give counsel, as one who has obtained the mercy of the Lord, so as to be faithful.
But I am saying this, neither as an indulgence, nor as a commandment.
I wish that you would endure a small amount of my foolishness, so as to bear with me.
Otherwise, if the Macedonians arrive with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you) would be ashamed in this matter.