17. But to each one as the Lord has apportioned. As God has called each one, thus let him live—and thus I order in all the churches.
18. Was anyone called after being circumcised? He must not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called in uncircumcision? He must not become circumcised.
19. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
20. Each one in the calling in which he was called—in this he should remain.
21. Were you called while a slave? Do not let it be a concern to you. But if indeed you are able to become free, rather make use of it.
22. For the one who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedperson. Likewise the one who is called while free is a slave of Christ.
23. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
24. Each one in the situation in which he was called, brothers—in this he should remain with God.
25. Now concerning virgins I do not have a command from the Lord, but I am giving an opinion as one shown mercy by the Lord to be trustworthy.
26. Therefore, I consider this to be good because of the impending distress, that it is good for a man to be thus.
27. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek release. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
28. But if you marry, you have not sinned, and if the virgin marries, she has not sinned. But such people will have affliction in the flesh, and I would spare you.
29. But I say this, brothers: the time is shortened, that from now on even those who have wives should be as if they do not have wives,
30. and those who weep as if they do not weep, and those who rejoice as if they do not rejoice, and those who buy as if they do not possess,
31. and those who make use of the world as if they do not make full use of it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
32. But I want you to be free from care. The unmarried person cares for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord.
33. But the one who is married cares for the things of the world, how he may please his wife,
34. and he is divided. And the unmarried woman or the virgin cares for the things of the Lord, in order that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But the married woman cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.