Shepherd the Flock of God
1 So I exhort the elders among you,
1as a fellow elder and
2a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:
2
3shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,
4not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;
5not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
3
not
6domineering over those in your charge, but
7being examples to the flock.
4
And when
8the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the
9unfading
10crown of glory.
5
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.
11Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for
12"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
6
13Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
7
14casting all your anxieties on him, because
15he cares for you.
8
16Be sober-minded;
17be watchful. Your
18adversary the devil
19prowls around
20like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9
21Resist him,
22firm in your faith, knowing that
23the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
10
And
24after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace,
25who has called you to his
26eternal glory in Christ, will himself
27restore,
28confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
11
29To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
12 By
30Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him,
31I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is
32the true grace of God.
33Stand firm in it.
13
She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does
34Mark, my son.
14
35Greet one another with the kiss of love.
36Peace to all of you who are in Christ.