Live as You Are Called

¹⁷ But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And ^(A)so I ^[a]ordain in all the churches. ¹⁸ Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? ^(B)Let him not be circumcised. ^19 (C)Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but ^(D)keeping the commandments of God is what matters. ²⁰ Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. ²¹ Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. ²² For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is ^(E)the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is ^(F)Christ’s slave. ^23 (G)You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. ²⁴ Brethren, let each one remain with ^(H)God in that state in which he was called.

To the Unmarried and Widows

²⁵ Now concerning virgins: ^(I)I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one ^(J)whom the Lord in His mercy has made ^(K)trustworthy. ²⁶ I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—^(L)that it is good 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 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.