11 (A)Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Head Coverings

Now I commend you (B)because you remember me in everything and (C)maintain the traditions (D)even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that (E)the head of every man is Christ, (F)the head of a wife[a] is her husband,[b] and (G)the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife[c] who prays or (H)prophesies (I)with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same (J)as if her head were shaven. For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. For a man ought not to cover his head, since (K)he is the image and glory of God, but (L)woman is the glory of man. For (M)man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but (N)woman for man. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.[d] 11 Nevertheless, (O)in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And (P)all things are from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 (Q)If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do (R)the churches of God.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Greek gunē. This term may refer to a woman or a wife, depending on the context
  2. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Greek anēr. This term may refer to a man or a husband, depending on the context
  3. 1 Corinthians 11:5 In verses 5–13, the Greek word gunē is translated wife in verses that deal with wearing a veil, a sign of being married in first-century culture
  4. 1 Corinthians 11:10 Or messengers, that is, people sent to observe and report

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