²³ You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for by Christ]; then do not yield yourselves up to become [in your own estimation] slaves to men [but consider yourselves slaves to Christ].

²⁴ So, brethren, in whatever station or state or condition of life each one was when he was called, there let him continue with and close to God.

²⁵ Now concerning the virgins (the marriageable ^[a]maidens) I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion and advice as one who by the Lord’s mercy is rendered trustworthy and faithful.