New Testament in a Year

²⁰ Everyone should stay in the same condition^[a] in which he was called. ²¹ Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let that bother you. Of course, if you have a chance to become free, take advantage of the opportunity. ²² For the slave who has been called to belong to the Lord is the Lord’s free person. In the same way, the free person who has been called is the Messiah’s^[b] slave. ²³ You were bought for a price. Stop becoming slaves of people. ²⁴ Brothers, everyone should stay in the same condition^[c] in which he was called by God.

Concerning Virgins

²⁵ Now concerning virgins, although I do not have any command from the Lord, I will give you my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. ²⁶ In view of the present crisis, I think it is prudent for a man to stay as he is. ²⁷ Have you become committed^[d] to a wife? Stop trying to get released from your commitment.^[e] Have you been freed from your commitment to^[f] a wife? Stop looking for one.^{[g] 28} But if you do get married, you have not sinned. And if a virgin gets married, she has not sinned. However, these people will experience trouble in this life,^[h] and I want to spare you from that.

²⁹ This is what I mean, brothers: The time is short. From now on, those who have wives should live as though they had none, ³⁰ and those who mourn as though they did not mourn, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they did not own a thing, ³¹ and those who use the things in the world as though they were not dependent on them. For the world in its present form is passing away.

³² I want you to be free from concerns. An unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, that is, about how he can please the Lord. ³³ But a married man is concerned about things of this world, that is, about how he can please his wife, ³⁴ and so his attention is divided.

An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the affairs of the Lord, so that she may be holy in body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, that is, about how she can please her husband. ³⁵ I’m saying this for your benefit, not to put a noose around your necks, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord.

³⁶ If a man thinks he is not behaving properly toward his virgin,^[i] and if his passion is so strong that he feels he ought to marry her, let him do what he wants; he isn’t sinning. Let them get married. ³⁷ However, if a man stands firm in his resolve, feels no necessity, and has made up his mind to keep her a virgin, he will be acting appropriately. ³⁸ So then the man who marries the virgin acts appropriately, but the man who refrains from marriage does even better.

³⁹ A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, only in the Lord. ⁴⁰ However, in my opinion she will be happier^[j] if she stays as she is. And in saying this,^[k] I think that I, too, have God’s Spirit.