1 Corinthians 7:17–28

Live as You are Called

17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And nso I 1ordain in all the churches. 18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? oLet him not be circumcised. 19 pCircumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but qkeeping the commandments of God is what matters. 20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is rthe Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is sChrist’s slave. 23 tYou were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with uGod in that state in which he was called.

To the Unmarried and Widows

25 Now concerning virgins: vI have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one wwhom the Lord in His mercy has made xtrustworthy. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—ythat it is good for a man to remain as he is: 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.