16. How do you as a wife know whether you will save your husband? How do you as a husband know whether you will save your wife?
17. Everyone should live the life that the Lord gave him when God called him. This is the guideline I use in every church.
18. Any man who was already circumcised when he was called to be a Christian shouldn’t undo his circumcision. Any man who was uncircumcised when he was called to be a Christian shouldn’t get circumcised.
19. Circumcision is nothing, and the lack of it is nothing. But keeping what God commands is everything.
20. All people should stay as they were when they were called.
21. Were you a slave when you were called? That shouldn’t bother you. However, if you have a chance to become free, take it.
22. If the Lord called you when you were a slave, you are the Lord’s free person. In the same way, if you were free when you were called, you are Christ’s slave.
23. You were bought for a price. Don’t become anyone’s slaves.
24. Brothers and sisters, you should remain in whatever circumstances you were in when God called you. God is with you in those circumstances.
25. Concerning virgins: Even though I don’t have any command from the Lord, I’ll give you my opinion. I’m a person to whom the Lord has shown mercy, so I can be trusted.
26. Because of the present crisis I believe it is good for people to remain as they are.
27. Do you have a wife? Don’t seek a divorce. Are you divorced from your wife? Don’t look for another one.
28. But if you do get married, you have not sinned. If a virgin gets married, she has not sinned. However, these people will have trouble, and I would like to spare them from that.
29. This is what I mean, brothers and sisters: The time has been shortened. While it lasts, those who are married should live as though they were not.
30. Those who have eyes filled with tears should live as though they have no sorrow. Those who are happy should live as though there was nothing to be happy about. Those who buy something should live as though they didn’t own it.