1 Corinthians 11:2-16

English Standard Version

Head Coverings

² Now I commend you ^(A)because you remember me in everything and ^(B)maintain the traditions ^(C)even as I delivered them to you. ³ But I want you to understand that ^(D)the head of every man is Christ, ^(E)the head of a wife^[a] is her husband,^[b] and ^(F)the head of Christ is God. ⁴ Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, ⁵ but every wife^[c] who prays or ^(G)prophesies ^(H)with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same ^(I)as if her head were shaven. ⁶ 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. ⁷ For a man ought not to cover his head, since ^(J)he is the image and glory of God, but ^(K)woman is the glory of man. ⁸ For ^(L)man was not made from woman, but woman from man. ⁹ Neither was man created for woman, but ^(M)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, ^(N)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 ^(O)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 (P)If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do ^(Q)the churches of God.