22. For any servant who has been called in the Lord is free in the Lord. Similarly, any free person who has been called is a servant in Christ.
23. You have been bought with a price. Do not be willing to become the servants of men.
24. Brothers, let each one, in whatever state he was called, remain in that state with God.
25. Now, concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord. But I give counsel, as one who has obtained the mercy of the Lord, so as to be faithful.
26. Therefore, I consider this to be good, because of the present necessity: that it is good for a man to be such as I am.
27. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be freed. Are you free of a wife? Do not seek a wife.
28. But if you take a wife, you have not sinned. And if a virgin has married, she has not sinned. Even so, such as these will have the tribulation of the flesh. But I would spare you from this.