What I am saying in regard to this boastful undertaking, I am saying not with the Lord’s authority but as a fool;
To the rest I say—I and not the Lord—that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.
Now concerning virgins, I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
This I say by way of concession, not of command.
I wish you would put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, do put up with me!
otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be put to shame—to say nothing of you—in this undertaking.