21. Were you called while a slave? It should not be a concern to you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity.
22. For he who is called by the Lord as a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ’s slave.
23. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
24. Brothers, each person should remain with God in whatever situation he was called.
25. About virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I do give an opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
26. Therefore I consider this to be good because of the present distress: It is fine for a man to remain as he is.
27. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
28. However, if you do get married, you have not sinned, and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But such people will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.
29. And I say this, brothers: The time is limited, so from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none,