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) 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.^{(C) 19} Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing.^(D) Keeping God’s commands is what counts. ²⁰ Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.^(E)

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;^(F) similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.^{(G) 23} You were bought at a price;^(H) 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.^(I)

Concerning the Unmarried

²⁵ Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord,^(J) but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy^(K) is trustworthy. ²⁶ Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.^{(L) 27} Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.^{(M) 28} But if you do marry, you have not sinned;^(N) and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

²⁹ What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short.^(O) From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; ³⁰ those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; ³¹ those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.^(P)

³² I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs^(Q)—how he can please the Lord. ³³ But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— ³⁴ and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.^(R) But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. ³⁵ I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided^(S) devotion to the Lord.