Psalms 129; Psalms 130; Psalms 131; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

1 Here is what Israel should say. Many times my enemies have beaten me down ever since I was a young nation.

2 Many times my enemies have beaten me down ever since I was a young nation, but they haven't won the battle.

3 They have made deep wounds in my back. It looks like a field a farmer has plowed.

4 The LORD does what is right. Sinners had tied me up with ropes. But the LORD has set me free.

5 May all those who hate Zion be driven back in shame.

6 May they be like grass that grows on the roof of a house. It dries up before it can grow.

7 There isn't enough of it to fill a person's hand. There isn't enough to tie up and carry away.

8 May no one who passes by say to those who hate Zion, "May the blessing of the LORD be on you. We bless you in the name of the Lord."

1 Lord, I cry out to you because I'm suffering so deeply.

2 Lord, listen to me. Pay attention to my cry for your favor.

3 Lord, suppose you kept a record of sins. Lord, who then wouldn't be found guilty?

4 But you forgive. So people have respect for you.

5 With all my heart I wait for the LORD to help me. I put my hope in his word.

6 I wait for the Lord to help me. I wait with more longing than those on guard duty wait for the morning. I'll say it again. I wait with more longing than those on guard duty wait for the morning.

7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord, because the LORD's love never fails. He sets his people completely free.

8 He himself will set Israel free from all of their sins.

1 Lord, my heart isn't proud. My eyes aren't proud either. I don't concern myself with important matters. I don't concern myself with things that are too wonderful for me.

2 I have made myself calm and content like a young child in its mother's arms. Deep down inside me, I am as content as a young child.

3 Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forever.

1 Follow my example, just as I follow the example of Christ.

2 I praise you for being faithful in remembering me. I also praise you for staying true to all my teachings, just as I gave them to you.

3 Now I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ. The head of the woman is the man. And the head of Christ is God.

4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings shame on his head.

5 And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered brings shame on her head. It is just as if her head were shaved.

6 What if a woman does not cover her head? She should have her hair cut off. But it is shameful for her to cut her hair or shave it off. So she should cover her head.

7 A man should not cover his head. He is the likeness and glory of God. But the woman is the glory of the man.

8 The man did not come from the woman. The woman came from the man.

9 Also, the man was not created for the woman. The woman was created for the man.

10 That's why a woman should have her head covered. It shows that she is under authority. She should also cover her head because of the angels.

11 But here is how things are for those who belong to the Lord. The woman is not independent of the man. And the man is not independent of the woman.

12 The woman came from the man, and the man is born from the woman. But everything comes from God.

13 You be the judge. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God without covering her head?

14 Suppose a man has long hair. Doesn't the very nature of things teach you that it is shameful?

15 And suppose a woman has long hair. Doesn't the very nature of things teach you that it is her glory? Long hair is given to her as a covering.

16 If anyone wants to argue about that, we don't have any other practice. And God's churches don't either.