Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave
himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by
the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church
to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that
she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should
love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves
himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and
cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,
Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a
man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the
temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and
each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her
conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does
not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise
the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife
does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a
limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come
together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of
self-control.
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if
some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct
of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not
let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of
gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the
hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and
quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the
holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to
their own husbands,
To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife
should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain
unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should
not divorce his wife.
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially
for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than
an unbeliever.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way,
showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs
with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
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