17. Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, let him walk in this way. I give this rule in all of Messiah’s communities.
18. Was anyone called when he already had been circumcised? Let him not make himself uncircumcised. Has anyone been called while uncircumcised? Let him not allow himself to be circumcised.
19. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing—but keeping God’s commandments matters.
20. Let each one remain in the calling in which he was called.
21. Were you called as a slave? Don’t let that bother you—but if indeed you can become free, make the most of the opportunity.
22. For the one who was called in the Lord as a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise the one who was called while free is Messiah’s slave.
23. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
24. Brothers and sisters, let each one—in whatever way he was called—remain that way with God.
25. Now concerning virgins I have no command from the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
26. I think then, because of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is.
27. Are you bound to a wife? Don’t seek a divorce. Are you free from a wife? Don’t seek a wife.
28. But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such people will have trouble in this fleshly life, and I am trying to spare you.
29. But this I say, brothers and sisters—the time is short. From now on those who have wives should be as though they had none;
30. and those who weep, as though not weeping; and those who rejoice, as though not rejoicing; and those who buy, as though not possessing;
31. and those who use the world, as though not using it to the fullest. For the present form of this world is passing away.
32. But I want you to be free from cares. An unmarried man cares about the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord;
33. but the married man cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife—