1-corinthians - Chapter 11

1So take me for your example, even as I take Christ for mine. 2Now I am pleased to see that you keep me in memory in all things, and that you give attention to the teaching which was handed down from me to you. 3But it is important for you to keep this fact in mind, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God. 4Every man who takes part in prayer, or gives teaching as a prophet, with his head covered, puts shame on his head. 5But every woman who does so with her head unveiled, puts shame on her head: for it is the same as if her hair was cut off. 6For if a woman is not veiled, let her hair be cut off; but if it is a shame to a woman to have her hair cut off, let her be veiled. 7For it is not right for a man to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8For the man did not come from the woman, but the woman from the man. 9And the man was not made for the woman, but the woman for the man. 10For this reason it is right for the woman to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11But the woman is not separate from the man, and the man is not separate from the woman in the Lord. 12For as the woman is from the man, so the man is through the woman; but all things are from God. 13Be judges yourselves of the question: does it seem right for a woman to take part in prayer unveiled? 14Does it not seem natural to you that if a man has long hair, it is a cause of shame to him? 15But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given to her for a covering. 16But if any man will not be ruled in this question, this is not our way of doing things, and it is not done in the churches of God. 17But in giving you this order, there is one thing about which I am not pleased: it is that when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18For first of all, it has come to my ears that when you come together in the church, there are divisions among you, and I take the statement to be true in part. 19For divisions are necessary among you, in order that those who have God's approval may be clearly seen among you. 20But now, when you come together, it is not possible to take the holy meal of the Lord: 21For when you take your food, everyone takes his meal before the other; and one has not enough food, and another is the worse for drink. 22What? have you not houses to take your meals in? or have you no respect for the church of God, putting the poor to shame? What am I to say to you? am I to give you praise? certainly not. 23For it was handed down to me from the Lord, as I gave it to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night when Judas was false to him, took bread, 24And when it had been broken with an act of praise, he said, This is my body which is for you: do this in memory of me. 25In the same way, with the cup, after the meal, he said, This cup is the new testament in my blood: do this, whenever you take it, in memory of me. 26For whenever you take the bread and the cup you give witness to the Lord's death till he comes. 27If, then, anyone takes the bread or the cup of the Lord in the wrong spirit, he will be responsible for the body and blood of the Lord. 28But let no man take of the bread and the cup without testing himself. 29For a man puts himself in danger, if he takes part in the holy meal without being conscious that it is the Lord's body. 30For this cause a number of you are feeble and ill, and a number are dead. 31But if we were true judges of ourselves, punishment would not come on us. 32But if punishment does come, it is sent by the Lord, so that we may be safe when the world is judged. 33So then, my brothers, when you come together to the holy meal of the Lord, let there be waiting for one another. 34If any man is in need of food, let him take his meal in his house; so that you may not come together to your damage. And the rest I will put in order when I come.