21. Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.
22. For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord's freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ's slave.
23. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
24. Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.
25. Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy.
26. I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is.
27. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
28. But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.
29. But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none;
30. and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess;
31. and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.