²⁹ What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short.^(A) From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; ³⁰ those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; ³¹ those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.^(B)

³² I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs^(C)—how he can please the Lord. ³³ But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— ³⁴ and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.^(D) But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. ³⁵ I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided^(E) devotion to the Lord.

³⁶ If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong^[a] and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning.^(F) They should get married. ³⁷ But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. ³⁸ So then, he who marries the virgin does right,^(G) but he who does not marry her does better.^[b]

³⁹ A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives.^(H) But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.^{(I) 40} In my judgment,^(J) she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

¹¹ These things happened to them as examples^(A) and were written down as warnings for us,^(B) on whom the culmination of the ages has come.^(C)

⁸ You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming^(A) is near.^(B)

⁷ The end of all things is near.^(A) Therefore be alert and of sober mind^(B) so that you may pray.

⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,^(A) as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient^(B) with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.^(C)

¹¹ Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives

Warnings Against Denying the Son

¹⁸ Dear children, this is the last hour;^(A) and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming,^(B) even now many antichrists have come.^(C) This is how we know it is the last hour.

³ Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it,^(A) because the time is near.^(B)

¹⁰ Then he told me, “Do not seal up^(A) the words of the prophecy of this scroll,^(B) because the time is near.^(C)