Parallel Verses
Goodspeed New Testament
If you were a slave when you were called, never mind. Even if you can gain your freedom, make the most of your present condition instead.
New American Standard Bible
Were you called while a slave?
King James Version
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
Holman Bible
Were you called while a slave? It should not be a concern to you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity.
International Standard Version
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let that bother you. Of course, if you have a chance to become free, take advantage of the opportunity.
A Conservative Version
Were thou called being a bondman? It should not concern thee. However if also thou are able to become free, take advantage of it instead.
American Standard Version
Wast thou called being a bondservant? Care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use it rather.
Amplified
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not worry about that [since your status as a believer is
An Understandable Version
Were you a slave when you were called? It should not matter to you [i.e., if you still are]. But if, indeed, you can become a free person, then use that freedom instead [i.e., for serving God].
Anderson New Testament
Were you a servant when you were called? Care not for it. But if you can become free, rather enjoy your freedom.
Bible in Basic English
If you were a servant when you became a Christian, let it not be a grief to you; but if you have a chance to become free, make use of it.
Common New Testament
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it trouble youbut if you can gain your freedom, do so.
Daniel Mace New Testament
were you called being a slave? be not perplex'd about it; but if you can obtain your freedom, don't refuse it.
Darby Translation
Hast thou been called being a bondman, let it not concern thee; but and if thou canst become free, use it rather.
Godbey New Testament
Have you been called being a slave? let it not be a care to you: but if indeed you are able to become free, use it in preference.
John Wesley New Testament
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou canst be made free, use it rather.
Julia Smith Translation
A servant wert thou called? let it not concern thee: for if thou art able to be free, rather make use of it.
King James 2000
Are you called being a servant? care not for it: but if you may be made free, use it rather.
Lexham Expanded Bible
Were you called [while] a slave? Do not let it be a concern to you. But if indeed you are able to become free, rather make use of [it].
Modern King James verseion
Were you called as a slave? It does not matter to you, but if you are able to become free, use it rather.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Art thou called a servant? Care not for it. Nevertheless if thou mayst be free, use it rather.
Moffatt New Testament
You were a slave when you were called? Never mind. Of course, if you do find it possible to get free, you had better avail yourself of the opportunity.
Montgomery New Testament
Were you called in slavery? Let not that trouble you; but if you can become free make use of the opportunity.
NET Bible
Were you called as a slave? Do not worry about it. But if indeed you are able to be free, make the most of the opportunity.
New Heart English Bible
Were you called being a bondservant? Do not let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it.
Noyes New Testament
Wast thou called being a slave, care not for it; but even if thou canst be made free, use it rather.
Sawyer New Testament
were you called being a servant, care not for it; but if you can be free, use it rather.
The Emphasized Bible
A bond-servant, wast thou called? let it not cause thee concern; but, if thou canst even become, free, rather use it.
Thomas Haweis New Testament
Art thou called being a slave? let it give thee no concern; but if thou canst also obtain thy freedom, rather make use of it.
Twentieth Century New Testament
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let that trouble you. No, even if you are able to gain your freedom, still do your best.
Webster
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it; but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
Weymouth New Testament
Were you a slave when God called you? Let not that weigh on your mind. And yet if you can get your freedom, take advantage of the opportunity.
Williams New Testament
Were you called while a slave? Stop letting that annoy you. Yet, if you can win your freedom, take advantage of such an opportunity.
World English Bible
Were you called being a bondservant? Don't let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it.
Worrell New Testament
Were you called, being a slave? care not for it; but, even if you can become free, use it rather.
Worsley New Testament
Wast thou called being a slave, be not anxious about it; but if thou canst be made free, prefer it.
Youngs Literal Translation
a servant -- wast thou called? be not anxious; but if also thou art able to become free -- use it rather;
Themes
Civil liberty » General references to civil
Liberty » General references to civil
Servant » Bond » Equal status of, with other disciples of jesus
Servant » Bond » Emancipation of
Servants » Should be contented in their situation
The Nation » Payment of taxes (tribute) » Civil liberty, general references to
Interlinear
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References
Word Count of 37 Translations in 1 Corinthians 7:21
Prayers for 1 Corinthians 7:21
Verse Info
Context Readings
Concerning Christian Marriage
20 Everyone ought to remain in the station in which he was called. 21 If you were a slave when you were called, never mind. Even if you can gain your freedom, make the most of your present condition instead. 22 For a slave who has been called to union with the Lord is a freedman of the Lord, just as a free man who has been called is a slave of Christ.
Names
Cross References
Luke 10:40-41
But Martha was worried with all she had to do for them, and she came up and said, "Master, does it make no difference to you that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me."
Luke 12:29
So you must not ask what you are to have to eat or drink, and you must not be anxious about it.
Luke 21:34
But take care that your hearts are not loaded down with self-indulgence and drunkenness and worldly cares, and that day takes you by surprise, like a trap.
1 Corinthians 12:13
For we have all??ews or Greeks, slaves or free men??een baptized in one spirit to form one body, and we have all been saturated with one Spirit.
Galatians 3:28
There is no room for "Jew" and "Greek"; there is no room for "slave" and "freeman"; there is no room for "male" and "female"; for in union with Christ Jesus you are all one.
Philippians 4:6
Have no anxiety about anything, but make all your wants known to God in prayer and entreaty, and with thanksgiving.
Philippians 4:11
Not that I have anything to complain of, for I have learned how to be contented with the condition I am in.
Colossians 3:11
Here, what matters is not "Greek" and "Jew," the circumcised and the uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeborn, but Christ is everything and in us all.
1 Timothy 6:1-3
All who are under the yoke of slavery must treat their masters with the greatest respect, so that the name of God and our teaching may not be abused.
Hebrews 13:5
You must not be avaricious; you must be content with what you have, for God himself has said, "I will never let go of you or desert you!"
1 Peter 2:18-24
You servants must be submissive to your masters and perfectly respectful to them; not only to those who are kind and considerate, but also to those who are unreasonable.
1 Peter 5:7
Throw all your anxiety upon him, for he cares for you.