²¹ Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make the most of it.^[a]

¹¹ In that renewal^[a] there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, enslaved and free, but Christ is all and in all!^(A)

The Example of Christ’s Suffering

¹⁸ Slaves, be subject to your masters with all respect,^[a] not only those who are good and gentle but also those who are dishonest. ¹⁹ For it is a commendable thing if, being aware of God, a person endures pain while suffering unjustly. ²⁰ If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do good and suffer for it, this is a commendable thing before God.^{(A) 21} For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.^(B)

²³ When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.^{(C) 24} He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,^[b] so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds^[c] you have been healed.^(D)

¹³ For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.^(A)

²⁹ And do not keep seeking what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying.