²¹ Were you a bondservant^[a] when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)

^18 (A)Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. ¹⁹ For this is a gracious thing, when, ^(B)mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But ^(C)if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. ²¹ For ^(D)to this you have been called, ^(E)because Christ also suffered for you, ^(F)leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. ^22 (G)He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. ^23 (H)When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, ^(I)but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. ^24 (J)He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we ^(K)might die to sin and ^(L)live to righteousness. ^(M)By his wounds you have been healed.

^11 (A)Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,^[a] free; but Christ is ^(B)all, and in all.

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

²⁹ And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor ^(A)be worried.

⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are ^(A)anxious and troubled about many things,

^7 (A)casting all your anxieties on him, because ^(B)he cares for you.

⁵ Keep your life ^(A)free from love of money, and ^(B)be content with what you have, for he has said, ^(C)“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be ^(A)content.