Christian Order

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

² Now ^(B)I praise you because you ^(C)remember me in everything and ^(D)hold firmly to the traditions, just as I handed them down to you. ³ But I want you to understand that Christ is the ^(E)head of every man, and ^[a](F)the man is the head of a woman, and God is the ^(G)head of Christ. ⁴ Every man who has something on his head while praying or ^(H)prophesying disgraces his head. ⁵ But every ^(I)woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for it is one and the same as the woman ^[b]whose head is ^(J)shaved. ⁶ For if a woman does not cover ^[c]her head, have her also ^[d]cut her hair off; however, if it is disgraceful for a woman to ^[e]have her hair cut off or ^[f]her head shaved, have her cover ^[g]her head. ⁷ For a man should not have his head covered, since he is the ^(K)image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. ⁸ For ^(L)man ^[h]does not originate from woman, but woman from man; ⁹ for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but ^(M)woman for the man’s sake. ¹⁰ Therefore the woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. ¹¹ However, in the Lord, neither is woman ^[i]independent of man, nor is man ^[j]independent of woman. ¹² For as the woman originated from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and ^(N)all things originate ^(O)from God.

A Call to Prayer

2 First of all, then, I urge that ^(A)requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, ^2 (B)for kings and all who are in ^[a]authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and ^[b]dignity. ³ This is good and acceptable in the sight of ^(C)God our Savior, ^4 (D)who wants all people to be ^(E)saved and to ^(F)come to the ^[c]knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is ^(G)one God, and ^(H)one mediator also between God and mankind, the ^(I)man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who ^(J)gave Himself as a ransom for all, the ^(K)testimony ^[d]given at ^[e](L)the proper time. ^7 (M)For this I was appointed as a ^[f]preacher and ^(N)an apostle (^(O)I am telling the truth, I am not lying), as a teacher of ^(P)the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Instructions for Believers

⁸ Therefore ^(Q)I want the men ^(R)in every place to pray, ^(S)lifting up ^(T)holy hands, without anger and dispute. ⁹ Likewise, I want ^(U)women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, ^[g]modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive apparel, ¹⁰ but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. ^11 (V)A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. ^12 (W)But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. ^13 (X)For it was Adam who was first ^[h]created, and then Eve. ¹⁴ And it was not Adam who was deceived, but ^(Y)the woman was ^[i]deceived and ^[j]became a wrongdoer. ¹⁵ But ^[k]women will be ^[l]preserved through ^[m]childbirth—if they continue in ^(Z)faith, love, and sanctity, with moderation.