17. if not, as God did distribute to each, as the Lord hath called each--so let him walk; and thus in all the assemblies do I direct:
18. being circumcised--was any one called? let him not become uncircumcised; in uncircumcision was any one called? let him not be circumcised;
19. the circumcision is nothing, and the uncircumcision is nothing--but a keeping of the commands of God.
20. Each in the calling in which he was called--in this let him remain;
21. a servant--wast thou called? be not anxious; but if also thou art able to become free--use [it] rather;
22. for he who [is] in the Lord--having been called a servant--is the Lord's freedman: in like manner also he the freeman, having been called, is servant of Christ:
23. with a price ye were bought, become not servants of men;
24. each, in that in which he was called, brethren, in this let him remain with God.
25. And concerning the virgins, a command of the Lord I have not; and I give judgment as having obtained kindness from the Lord to be faithful:
26. I suppose, therefore, this to be good because of the present necessity, that [it is] good for a man that the matter be thus: --
27. Hast thou been bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed; hast thou been loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.