20. Each in the calling in which he was called--in this let him remain;
21. a servant--wast thou called? be not anxious; but if also thou art able to become free--use [it] rather;
22. for he who [is] in the Lord--having been called a servant--is the Lord's freedman: in like manner also he the freeman, having been called, is servant of Christ:
23. with a price ye were bought, become not servants of men;
24. each, in that in which he was called, brethren, in this let him remain with God.
25. And concerning the virgins, a command of the Lord I have not; and I give judgment as having obtained kindness from the Lord to be faithful:
26. I suppose, therefore, this to be good because of the present necessity, that [it is] good for a man that the matter be thus: --
27. Hast thou been bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed; hast thou been loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
28. But and if thou mayest marry, thou didst not sin; and if the virgin may marry, she did not sin; and such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I spare you.
29. And this I say, brethren, the time henceforth is having been shortened--that both those having wives may be as not having;
30. and those weeping, as not weeping; and those rejoicing, as not rejoicing; and those buying, as not possessing;
31. and those using this world, as not using [it] up; for passing away is the fashion of this world.