What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
To the rest I speak, not the Lord: If any brother has an unbelieving wife who consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.
Now concerning those not having married, I have no command from the Lord. Yet I will give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be faithful.
I speak this as a concession and not as a command.
I would to God you could bear with me a little in my folly. Indeed, bear with me.
and lest if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.