²⁰ Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.^(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)

¹¹ and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands,^(A) just as we told you,

¹² Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ^(A) to settle down and earn the food they eat.^(B)

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;^(A) similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.^{(B) 23} You were bought at a price;^(C) 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.^(D)

¹⁰ “What should we do then?”^(A) the crowd asked.

¹¹ John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”^(B)

¹² Even tax collectors came to be baptized.^(C) “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

¹³ “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,”^(D) he told them.

¹⁴ Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely^(E)—be content with your pay.”