We have worked hard with our own hands for a living. When abused by people, we bless them. When persecuted, we patiently bear it.

Now I take up the matters about which you wrote me. It may be good thing for a man to remain unmarried;

Now this is my opinion in the light of the present distress: That it is a good thing for a man to remain as he is.

Are you married? Stop trying to get a divorce. Are you unmarried? Stop looking for a wife.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the product of my work for the Lord?

Or is it Barnabas and I alone who have no right to refrain from working for a living?

For if a woman will not wear a veil, let her have her hair cut off too. Now if it is a dishonor for a woman to have her hair cut off, or her head shaved, let her wear a veil.

For a man ought not to wear anything on his head, because he is the image and reflected glory of God, but woman is man's reflected glory.

You must judge for yourselves in this matter. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with nothing on her head?

Does not nature itself teach you that it is degrading for a man to wear long hair,

but that it is a woman's glory to do so? For her hair is given her for a covering.

If they want to find out about something, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church.