¹⁷ However, each person is to live in the situation the Lord assigned to him—the situation he was in when God called him to faith. I give this same command in all the churches. ¹⁸ If a man was circumcised when he was called, he should not become uncircumcised. If a man was uncircumcised when he was called, he should not get circumcised. ¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping God’s commands is important. ²⁰ Let each person stay in that calling in which he was called. ²¹ Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it bother you. But if you are able to become free, take advantage of it. ²² For the slave who was called to be in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person. Likewise, the free person who was called is Christ’s slave. ²³ You were bought at a price. Do not become slaves of men. ²⁴ Brothers,^[a] let each person remain before God in the situation he was in when he was called.