1 Corinthians 7
1 Now [I will reply to] the things that you wrote to me about. It is good for people not to get married.
Um auf das zu kommen, wovon ihr geschrieben habt: so ist es für einen Mann gut, keine Frau zu berühren.
2 But because many people are committing sexual immorality, [which God detests], every man should have his own wife [with whom he can have sexual relations], and every woman should have her own husband [with whom she can have sexual relations].
Doch wegen der Unzuchtsverirrungen mag jeder seine Frau und jede Frau ihren Mann haben.
3 Every man must continue having sexual relations [EUP] with his wife, and every woman must continue having sexual relations with her husband.
Der Mann gewähre der Frau, was er ihr schuldig ist, ebenso auch die Frau dem Manne.
4 A man’s wife does not have the right over her own body [to be the only one to decide about having sexual relations with her husband]. Instead, her husband also has a right [to decide about that]. Similarly, a woman’s husband does not have the right over his own body [to be the only one to decide about having sexual relations with his wife]. Instead, his wife also has a right [to decide about that].
Die Frau hat nicht über ihren Leib zu verfügen, sondern der Mann; und ebenso auch der Mann nicht über den seinigen, sondern die Frau.
5 You may refuse [to have sexual relations with] each other [EUP] only if you both first agree to do that for a short time, in order that you may both have more time to pray. Then after that, begin having sexual relations again [EUP] in order that Satan will not be able to persuade you [to have sex with someone else] because you are unable to control your sexual desires.
Entziehet euch einander nicht, es sei denn nach Uebereinkunft auf einige Zeit, um ohne Störung dem Gebet zu leben, und dann wieder zusammen zu gehen, damit euch der Satan nicht versuche, eurer Unenthaltsamkeit wegen.
6 I am telling you these things to say that [God] allows [you to get married, but he] does not say that you must [get married].
Was ich da sage, ist als Zulassung zu nehmen, nicht als Gebot.
7 I myself wish that all people would stay [unmarried/single], as I am. But God has enabled each person to live in ways that seem right for them. He has enabled some people to [live without getting married], and he has enabled other people to [get married].
Ich wünschte vielmehr, daß alle Menschen wären, wie ich; aber jeder hat seine eigene Gabe von Gott, der eine so, der andere so.
8 Now I want to say this to you unmarried people and to you whose spouses have died: It would be good for you to remain [unmarried] as I am.
Den Männern aber, die keine Frau haben, und den Witwen sage ich: es ist ihnen gut, wenn sie so bleiben, wie ich auch;
9 But if you cannot control your [sexual desires] [EUP], you should get married. It is better to be married [so that you can satisfy your sexual desires with your spouse] than to constantly have a strong desire [EUP] [for sexual relations].
können sie sich nicht enthalten, so mögen sie heiraten; es ist besser heiraten, als Glut leiden.
10 And now I will give a command for [believers who are] married. This is not a command from me alone; it also comes from the Lord Jesus. You married women must not (separate from/divorce) your husbands!
Den Ehepaaren aber gebiete ich, vielmehr nicht ich, sondern der Herr: daß sich die Frau von ihrem Manne nicht trennen soll;
11 But if any of you do that, you must remain unmarried, or else you should be reconciled with your husband [and live with him again]. Similarly, men must not (separate from/divorce) their wives.
hat sich eine getrennt, so soll sie ledig bleiben, oder sich mit ihrem Manne wieder versöhnen; ebenso der Mann soll seine Frau nicht entlassen.
12 Now I say this to the rest of you, [to those who became believers after they were married. This is what] I [am saying], not what the Lord [has commanded]. If someone has a wife who is not a believer, if she is willing to keep living with him, he must not divorce her.
Den Uebrigen sage ich, nicht der Herr: wenn ein Bruder eine ungläubige Frau hat, und diese willigt ein mit ihm zu leben, so soll er nicht von ihr lassen.
13 Similarly, if a woman has a husband who is not a believer, if he is willing to keep living with her, she must not divorce him.
Und ebenso wenn eine Frau einen ungläubigen Mann hat, und dieser willigt ein mit ihr zu leben, so soll sie nicht von ihm lassen.
14 [I say that] because God has set apart every woman’s unbelieving husband [for himself] because of his wife [being a believer], and God has set apart every man’s unbelieving wife [for himself] because of her husband [being a believer]. If that were not true, [God would consider] their children unacceptable. But, the fact is that [God does consider] them acceptable to him.
Denn der ungläubige Mann ist geheiligt durch die Frau, und die ungläubige Frau durch den Bruder; sonst wären ja auch eure Kinder unrein und sie sind doch heilig.
15 However, if a woman’s husband who is not a believer or a man’s wife who is not a believer wants to leave, let [him or her] do so. The husband or wife who is a believer should not force the other one to stay. God has chosen us in order that we may live peacefully.
Wenn sich aber der ungläubige Teil lossagen will, so mag er es haben. Bruder und Schwester sind an solche nicht gefesselt; in Friedensstand nur hat uns Gott berufen.
16 [You women believers should allow your unbelieving spouses to leave you if they want to], because there is no way that you can be sure that God will save your husband if you stay together [RHQ] (OR, perhaps God will save your husband if you stay together.) Similarly, you men [who are believers], there is no way that you can be sure that God will save your wives if you stay together [RHQ] (OR, perhaps God will save your wives if you stay together.)
Was weißt denn du, o Frau, davon, ob du deinen Mann retten wirst? oder du, o Mann, ob du deine Frau retten wirst?
17 However, each person should continue in the status that the Lord gave him, the status that he had when the Lord called him [to belong to him]. That is the rule that I tell people in all the congregations [where I speak].
Nur das wissen wir: jeder soll leben mit dem Teil, das ihm der Herr zugeschieden, in dem Stand, in dem er ihn berufen: so verordne ich es in allen Gemeinden.
18 If a man had already been circumcised [RHQ] when he became a Christian, he should not [try to pretend that he is not] circumcised. If a man had not been circumcised [RHQ] before he became a Christian, he should not become circumcised.
Ist einer als beschnittener berufen? so verhülle er es nicht; als Heide? so lasse er sich nicht beschneiden.
19 [You should not try to change your status that way], because it means nothing [to God] whether someone is circumcised or not. What is important is that we obey what God has commanded.
Beschneidung thut es nicht und Verhüllung thut es nicht, sondern Gottes Gebote halten.
20 [Generally], each person should remain in the status that he had when he became a Christian.
Jeder bleibe in dem Stande, in dem er berufen ist.
21 If one of you was a slave when you [(sg)] became a Christian [RHQ], do not be concerned about it. However, if you get an opportunity to be free, do [what you need to do to become free].
Bist du als Sklave berufen? laß dichs nicht anfechten; und wenn du auch frei werden kannst, so bleibe nur um so lieber dabei.
22 [Do not worry about your previously being a slave], because those who were slaves before they became Christians, the Lord has freed them [from Satan’s control]. Similarly, those who were not slaves before they became Christians, [it is as though] [MET] they are Christ’s slaves [because they must do what he tells them to do] [MET].
Der Sklave, der im Herrn berufen ist, ist Freigelassener des Herrn. Andererseits der als Freier berufen ist, ist Christus' Sklave.
23 [Christ] paid a price to buy you [when he died for you]. So do not [act as if you are evil people’s] slaves [by doing the evil things that they tell you to do].
Ihr seid teuer erkauft; werdet keine Menschenknechte.
24 My fellow believers, [I repeat that in general] each believer, being in fellowship with God, should continue in the status that he had before he became a Christian.
Jeder bleibe bei Gott, Brüder, in dem Stande, in welchem er berufen ist.
25 Now [I will answer your question] about women who have never married. There is nothing that the Lord has commanded me [to write about them], but I am writing this to tell you what I think [is best], because the Lord [Jesus] has mercifully enabled me to [say] what is reliable.
Was aber die Jungfrauen betrifft, so habe ich kein Gebot des Herrn, ich gebe darüber meine Meinung als Gewährsmann, wie ich es durch die Barmherzigkeit des Herrn geworden bin.
26 There are a lot of distressing events [happening] now (OR, that will soon happen), so I think that it is better for people to remain in the marital status that they now have.
So meine ich denn, es sei bei der Bedrängnis dieser Zeit eine gute Sache darum, nämlich daß es einem Menschen gut ist, so zu sein.
27 If any of you [men] are married [RHQ], do not try to divorce your wife. If any of you are unmarried [RHQ], do not seek a wife.
Bist du an eine Frau gebunden, so suche nicht die Lösung; bist du ledig, so suche keine Frau;
28 But if [any of] you [men] get married, you have not committed a sin [by doing that]. Likewise, if an unmarried woman gets married, she has not committed a sin [by doing that]. However, those who get married will have many troubles, [so I am urging you to remain unmarried in order that] you may not experience [such troubles].
doch thust du auch, wenn du heiratest, damit keine Sünde. So auch die Jungfrau, wenn sie heiratet, thut sie keine Sünde. Trübsal für das Fleisch werden sie in dem Falle wohl haben. Was mich betrifft, so verfahre ich schonend mit euch,
29 My fellow believers, this is what I mean: There is not much time left [before Christ returns]. So, from now on those men who are married should [devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they were not married.
das aber sage ich, meine Brüder: die Zeit drängt, und hinfort gilt es, daß die da Weiber haben, seien, als hätten sie keine;
30 Those who are sad should [devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they were not sad. Those who are rejoicing [should devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they were not joyful.
die da weinen, als weinten sie nicht; die sich freuen, als freuten sie sich nicht; die da kaufen, als besäßen sie nicht,
31 Those who are buying things should [devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they did not possess those things. Because this world as it exists now will soon be gone, those who are actively involved in the affairs of this life [should not devote all their time] to be involved in those things.
die mit der Welt verkehren, als hätten sie nichts davon. Denn die Gestalt dieser Welt ist am vergehen.
32 [Another reason why] I [encourage you to remain unmarried is that] I desire that none of you be anxious [about the everyday affairs of this life]. Unmarried men are [able to be primarily] concerned about serving the Lord Jesus and trying to please him.
Da möchte ich, daß ihr ohne Sorgen wäret. Der Ehelose sorgt für des Herrn Sache, wie er dem Herrn gefalle.
33 But married men are [often] greatly concerned about the affairs of this life. Specifically, they are concerned about pleasing their wives.
Der sich verehelicht, sorgt für die Dinge der Welt, wie er seiner Frau gefalle, und ist geteilt.
34 So their thinking is divided. Unmarried women are [able to be] concerned about serving the Lord. They want to set apart their minds and their bodies for serving the Lord. But married women are [often] concerned about the affairs of this life. Specifically, they are concerned about how to please their husbands.
Desgleichen die Frau, die keinen Mann hat, so wie die Jungfrau sorgt für des Herrn Sache, auf daß sie sei heilig an Leib und Geist. Die sich verehelicht, sorgt für die Dinge der Welt, wie sie dem Manne gefalle.
35 I am telling you this for your own good. I am not saying it in order to restrict you. Instead, I am saying it in order that you may do what is proper and be able to serve the Lord without being distracted {things distracting you}.
Ich spreche da für euren eigenen Nutzen, nicht um eine Schlinge über euch zu werfen, sondern für edle Sitte und für ungestörtes Aushalten bei dem Herrn.
36 [Some of you men have asked about your unmarried daughters]. [I suggest that] if any man thinks that he may be treating his daughter unfairly [by keeping her from marrying], and if it is already past [the right] time for her to get married, and if he thinks that she ought to be married, he should do what he wants to do. He should let her get married. He will not be sinning [by doing that].
Wo aber einer denken muß, er handle unziemlich an seiner Jungfrau, wenn sie überreif wird, und es kommt so zu einem Muß, der thue, was er will; er sündigt nicht; sie mögen heiraten.
37 But if a man feels absolutely sure [that it is better that his daughter not get married], and if nothing is forcing [her to get married], and if he is free to do what he decides to do on the matter, if he decides that his daughter should not get married, he is doing what is right in [keeping her from marrying].
Wenn aber einer in seinem Herzen fest steht, keinen Zwang erleidet, sondern Herr seines Willens ist, und in seinem Herzen entschlossen ist, seine Jungfrau zu bewahren, der thut wohl daran.
38 So any man who decides that his daughter should get married is doing what is good, but if he decides that she should not get married, he is doing something even better. (OR, [Some of you men have asked about the women to whom you are engaged to marry]. If any man thinks that he may be treating that woman unfairly [by not marrying her], and if it is already past [the right] time for her to get married, and if he wants to marry her very much, he should do what he wants to do. He should marry her. He will not be sinning [by doing that]. But if a man feels absolutely sure [that it is better] for him not to get married, and if nothing is forcing [them to get married], if he is free to make his own decision on the matter, if he decides not to get married, he is doing what is right. So any man who decides that he should get married to the woman he is engaged to is doing what is good, but if he decides that he should not get married, he is doing something even better.)
Demnach thut der wohl, der seine Jungfrau zur Ehe führt, aber mehr doch der, der es nicht thut.
39 Women must remain married to their husbands while their husbands are still alive. But if a woman’s husband dies, she is free to marry any [unmarried] man whom she wants to marry, but he must belong to the Lord.
Eine Ehefrau ist gebunden, so lange ihr Mann lebt; stirbt er, so hat sie die Freiheit zu heiraten, wen sie will, nur im Herrn.
40 However, I think that she will be happier if she does not marry again. And I believe that the Spirit of God is [directing] me [as I say that].
Seliger aber ist sie, wenn sie so bleibt, nach meiner Meinung: ich denke aber auch den Geist Gottes zu haben.
