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The Unmarried and the Widows

25 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. ²⁶I think that, in view of the impending^* crisis, it is well for you to remain as you are. ²⁷Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. ²⁸But if you marry, you do not sin, and if a virgin marries, she does not sin. Yet those who marry will experience distress in this life,^* and I would spare you that. ²⁹I mean, brothers and sisters,^* the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, ³⁰and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, ³¹and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

11  So shall the king have pleasure in your beauty; ♦︎
   he is your lord, so do him honour.
12  The people of Tyre shall bring you gifts; ♦︎
   the richest of the people shall seek your favour.
13  The king’s daughter is all glorious within; ♦︎
   her clothing is embroidered cloth of gold.
14  She shall be brought to the king in raiment of needlework; ♦︎
   after her the virgins that are her companions.
15  With joy and gladness shall they be brought ♦︎
   and enter into the palace of the king.
16  ‘Instead of your fathers you shall have sons, ♦︎
   whom you shall make princes over all the land.
17  ‘I will make your name to be remembered through all generations; ♦︎
   therefore shall the peoples praise you for ever and ever.’

Blessings and Woes

20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
‘Blessed are you who are poor,
   for yours is the kingdom of God.
²¹ ‘Blessed are you who are hungry now,
   for you will be filled.
‘Blessed are you who weep now,
   for you will laugh.

22 ‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you^* on account of the Son of Man. ²³Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
²⁴ ‘But woe to you who are rich,
   for you have received your consolation.
²⁵ ‘Woe to you who are full now,
   for you will be hungry.
‘Woe to you who are laughing now,
   for you will mourn and weep.

26 ‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.