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For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave.
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You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
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Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.
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Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy.
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I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress--that it is good for a man to remain as he is:
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Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
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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.
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But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none,
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those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess,
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and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.
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But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord--how he may please the Lord.