What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.
lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.
Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy.
But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment.
Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me.