5
1 Therefore I
exhort the elders
among you, as
a fellow elder
and a witness
of the sufferings
of Christ, and
who will also
share in the
glory that will
be revealed:
2 shepherd
the flock of
God which is
among you, exercising
the oversight, not
under compulsion, but
voluntarily; not
for dishonest gain, but
willingly;
3 not
as lording it
over those entrusted
to you, but making
yourselves examples
to the flock.
4 When
the chief Shepherd
is revealed, you
will receive the
crown of glory
that doesn’t fade away.
5 Likewise,
you younger ones,
be subject to
the elder. Yes,
all of you
clothe yourselves
with humility and
subject yourselves
to one another;
for “God resists
the proud, but
gives grace to
the humble.”
6 Humble
yourselves therefore
under the mighty
hand of God,
that he may
exalt you in
due time,
7 casting
all your worries
on him, because
he cares for
you.
8 Be
sober and self-controlled.
Be watchful.
Your adversary, the
devil, walks
around like a
roaring lion,
seeking whom he
may devour.
9 Withstand
him steadfast in
your faith,
knowing that
your brothers who
are in the
world are undergoing
the same
sufferings.
10 But
may the God
of all grace,
who called you
to his eternal
glory by Christ
Jesus, after you
have suffered a
little while,
perfect, establish,
strengthen, and
settle you.
11 To
him be the glory
and the power
forever and ever.
Amen.
12 Through
Silvanus, our
faithful brother, as
I consider him,
I have written
to you briefly,
exhorting and
testifying that
this is the
true grace of
God in which
you stand.
13 She
who is in Babylon,
chosen together
with you, greets
you. So does
Mark, my son.
14 Greet one
another with a
kiss of love.
Peace be to
all of you
who are in
Christ Jesus. Amen.