1 Corinthians 7:17–31
17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.c This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.d 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.e 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing.f Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.g
21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person;h similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.i 23 You were bought at a price;j do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.k
25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord,l but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercym is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.n 27 Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.o 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned;p and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short.q From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.r