20 kLet every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is lthe Lord’s †freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is mChrist’s servant. 23 nYe are bought with a price; obe not ye the servants of men. 24 Brethren, klet every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

25 Now concerning virgins pI have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give pmy judgment, as qone that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be rfaithful. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the spresent ||tdistress, I say, uthat it is good for a man so to be. 27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 28 vBut and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such wshall have trouble in the flesh: but xI spare you. 29 But this I say, brethren, ythe time is short: zit remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 30 zAnd they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they apossessed not; 31 And they that use this world, as not babusing it: for cthe dfashion of this world passeth away. 32 But eI would have you without carefulness. fHe that is unmarried careth for the things †that belong to the Lord, how he may gplease the Lord: 33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 34 hThere is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman ecareth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may icast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. 36 But if any man think that he jbehaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she kpass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. 37 Nevertheless he that lstandeth mstedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. 38 So then he that giveth her in marriage ndoeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.

39 oThe wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband pbe dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only qin the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she so abide, rafter my judgment: and I sthink also tthat I have the Spirit of God.