(He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.)

to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.

Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.

Later, the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord! Let us in!’

So then, the one who marries his own virgin does well, but the one who does not, does better.

For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy, because I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

With regard to the question about people who have never married, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one shown mercy by the Lord to be trustworthy.

“Look! The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and they will call him Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.”

But if you marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face difficult circumstances, and I am trying to spare you such problems.

If anyone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the bloom of youth and it seems necessary, he should do what he wishes; he does not sin. Let them marry.

But the man who is firm in his commitment, and is under no necessity but has control over his will, and has decided in his own mind to keep his own virgin, does well.

These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed from humanity as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb,

and he is divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord, to be holy both in body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the things of the world, how to please her husband.