GOD'S WORD Translation GW
New International Version NIV
17 Everyone should live the life that the Lord gave him when God called him. This is the guideline I use in every church.
17
Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
18 Any man who was already circumcised when he was called to be a Christian shouldn't undo his circumcision. Any man who was uncircumcised when he was called to be a Christian shouldn't get circumcised.
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.
19 Circumcision is nothing, and the lack of it is nothing. But keeping what God commands is everything.
19
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts.
20 All people should stay as they were when they were called.
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Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
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.
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 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.
22
For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.
23 You were bought for a price. Don't become anyone's slaves.
23
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.
24 Brothers and sisters, you should remain in whatever circumstances you were in when God called you. God is with you in those circumstances.
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Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
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.
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Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
26 Because of the present crisis I believe it is good for people to remain as they are.
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Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.
27 Do you have a wife? Don't seek a divorce. Are you divorced from your wife? Don't look for another one.
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.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.