1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. I praise and appreciate you because you remember me in everything and you firmly hold to the traditions [the substance of my instructions], just as I have passed them on to you. But I want you to understand that Christ is the head (authority over) of every man, and man is the head of woman, and God is the head of Christ. Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head dishonors his head [and the One who is his head]. And every woman who prays or prophesies when she has her head uncovered disgraces her head; for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved [in disgrace]. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, she should cover her head. A man ought not have his head covered [during worship], since he is the image and [reflected] glory of God; but the woman is [the expression of] man’s glory. [Gen 1:26] For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; [Gen 2:21-23] for indeed man was not created for the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of man. [Gen 2:18] Therefore the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head, for the sake of the angels [so as not to offend them]. Nevertheless, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as the woman originates from the man, so also man is born through the woman; and all things [whether male or female] originate from God [as their Creator]. Judge for yourselves; is it proper for a woman to offer prayer to God [publicly] with her head uncovered? Does not common sense itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her ornament and glory? For her long hair is given to her as a covering. Now if anyone is inclined to be contentious [about this], we have no other practice [in worship than this], nor do the churches of God [in general].