¹⁶ If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.^(A)

Concerning Change of Status

¹⁷ Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.^(A) This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.^(B)

³ If anyone teaches otherwise^(A) and does not agree to the sound instruction^(B) of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited^(C) and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words^(D) that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions

¹⁴ For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators^(A) of God’s churches in Judea,^(B) which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people^(C) the same things those churches suffered from the Jews

²⁴ Take these men, join in their purification rites^(A) and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved.^(B) Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law.