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Marriage. Some people love it, others run away from it. Why? What is it about the word marriage that starts alarm bells ringing in the ears of some.

Well, marriage is the union of a man and a woman as husband and wife according to the standard set out by God. Marriage is a divine institution, authorized and established by God in Eden. Marriage brings into being the family unit, the family circle. Its basic purpose was the reproducing of the members of the human family, to bring into existence more creatures of the human kind. Jehovah the Creator made male and female and ordained marriage as the proper arrangement for the multiplication of the human race. (Ge 1:27,28) The first human wedding was performed by Jehovah, as described at Genesis 2:22-24.

Marriage was designed to form a permanent bond of union between man and woman, that they might be mutually helpful to each other. Living together in love and confidence, they could enjoy great happiness. God created woman as a mate for man by using the man's rib as a base, thereby making woman man's closest fleshly relative on earth, his own flesh. (Ge 2:21) As Jesus pointed out, it was not Adam but God who said, "That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he must stick to his wife and they must become one flesh." The wording of this text makes it evident that monogamy was the original standard for marriage in the eyes of God.Mt 19:4-6; Ge 2:24.

This is all very well, you may say. But what if we end up with a partner that we can't stand the sight of, or we end up arguing all the time?

The answer is to be very sure before you take that important step. You can be sure. How?

True, building a lasting, happy marriage is not easy, but it is certainly possible. Many couples have been happily married for 50, 60, or more years. How do they do it? They work at their marriage continually and unselfishly to "gain the approval" of their mate. (1Corinthians 7:33,34) That takes work. If you are willing to invest the time and effort, you too can build a happy marriage, one that will last a long time.

Constructing a building requires careful preparation. Before the foundation is laid, land must be acquired and plans drawn up. However, something else is vital. Cost.

What is true of constructing a building also applies to constructing a successful marriage. Many say: "I want to get married." But how many stop to consider the cost?

Constructing a building may be expensive, but caring for its long-term maintenance is costly as

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