On Covering the Head in Worship

I praise you(A) for remembering me in everything(B) and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you.(C) But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ,(D) and the head of the woman is man,[a](E) and the head of Christ is God.(F) Every man who prays or prophesies(G) with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies(H) with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.(I) For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

A man ought not to cover his head,[b] since he is the image(J) and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;(K) neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.(L) 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own[c] head, because of the angels.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Or of the wife is her husband
  2. 1 Corinthians 11:7 Or Every man who prays or prophesies with long hair dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with no covering of hair dishonors her head—she is just like one of the “shorn women.” If a woman has no covering, let her be for now with short hair; but since it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair shorn or shaved, she should grow it again. A man ought not to have long hair
  3. 1 Corinthians 11:10 Or have a sign of authority on her

Head Coverings

I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions just as I handed them on to you.(A) But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man[a] is the head of the woman,[b] and God is the head of Christ.(B) Any man who prays or prophesies with something on his head shames his head,(C) but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled shames her head—it is one and the same thing as having her head shaved. For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair, but if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or to be shaved, she should wear a veil. For a man ought not to have his head veiled, since he is the image and reflection[c] of God, but woman is the reflection[d] of man.(D) Indeed, man was not made from woman but woman from man.(E) Neither was man created for the sake of woman but woman for the sake of man.(F) 10 For this reason a woman ought to have authority over her head,[e] because of the angels.(G)

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Footnotes

  1. 11.3 Or husband
  2. 11.3 Or wife
  3. 11.7 Or glory
  4. 11.7 Or glory
  5. 11.10 Or have freedom of choice regarding her head