Does the Bible encourage marriage

YESSSSS!!!!!!!!! You no its wrong do the right thing and if he can't respect you for that you shouldn't get married to him!!!!

Yes, it is wrong to live together before marriage. Many times in The Bible it says 'relationship' (hint, 3 letter Word) is preserved fro marriage ONLY. I believe it's even wrong to live together without a relationship. Not to mention it will be too tempting for most. So just wait a while longer until you're married to live together.

Can I please correct this? (obviously, I'm not the same person who wrote the above statement)It does not state flat out in the Bible not to live together before marriage. As you well know, premarital intercourse is the guideline for this belief. The only thing the Bible does say is (paraphrased) 'Do not give an appearance of Sin'; so, people assume that if you are living together, you are also sleeping together.

Personally, I think that when people judge you, that is their fault. I could see if you went around drawing "I love the devil" on your forehead and walking around in public, I could see how you would be giving the appearance of sin. But if people want to throw the first stone and make assumptions that you are a dirty you-know-what because you are living with your boyfriend/girlfriend/fiance, that is their problem and they will have to answer to God. Remember, you only answer to God. If you know that living together will increase the temptation of premarital sex, then its probably not a good idea to live together. But if you know that you can stay strong, then go ahead and do it. God sees the heart, don't forget that. Man -made rules like "living together" are arbitrary and useless in his eyes. And remember, if you get there and realize there is temptation, you can always seek help from a counselor, priest, etc. or move out. Christians aren't supposed to be condemning, they are supposed to be supportive and loving; if we aren't, how can we prove that God is to a nonbeliever?