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: nay, even 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 trustworthy.
26. I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, 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 shouldest 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;