21. Were you a slave when you were called? That shouldn’t bother you. However, if you have a chance to become free, take it.
22. If the Lord called you when you were a slave, you are the Lord’s free person. In the same way, if you were free when you were called, you are Christ’s slave.
23. You were bought for a price. Don’t become anyone’s slaves.
24. Brothers and sisters, you should remain in whatever circumstances you were in when God called you. God is with you in those circumstances.
25. Concerning virgins: Even though I don’t have any command from the Lord, I’ll give you my opinion. I’m a person to whom the Lord has shown mercy, so I can be trusted.
26. Because of the present crisis I believe it is good for people to remain as they are.
27. Do you have a wife? Don’t seek a divorce. Are you divorced from your wife? Don’t look for another one.
28. But if you do get married, you have not sinned. If a virgin gets married, she has not sinned. However, these people will have trouble, and I would like to spare them from that.