⁴⁴ As for your male and female slaves whom you may have: you may buy male and female slaves from among the nations that are around you.

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.) ²² For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is ^(A)a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is ^(B)a bondservant of Christ.

¹⁵ For this perhaps is why ^(A)he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, ^16 (B)no longer as a bondservant^[a] but more than a bondservant, as ^(C)a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, ^(D)both in the flesh and in the Lord.