16. For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
17. Only, as the Lord hath distributed to each man, as God hath called each, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches.
18. Was any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
19. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.
20. Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called.
21. Wast thou called being a bondservant? care not for it: but 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 faithful.
26. I think therefore that this is good by reason of the present distress, 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 and if 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;