¹⁸ Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.^{(A) 19} Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing.^(B) Keeping God’s commands is what counts. ²⁰ Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.^(C)

²¹ Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. ²² For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person;^(D) similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.^{(E) 23} You were bought at a price;^(F) do not become slaves of human beings. ²⁴ Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.^(G)