21. Wast thou called being a bondservant? Care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use it rather.
22. For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord’s freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ’s bondservant.
23. Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men.
24. Brethren, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God.
25. Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy.
26. I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, namely, that it is good for a man to be as he is.
27. Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife.
28. But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you.
29. But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none;
30. and those that weep, as though they wept not; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those that buy, as though they possessed not;
31. and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
32. But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
33. but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife,
34. and is divided. So also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.