Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

10 The law is only a shadow^(A) of the good things^(B) that are coming—not the realities themselves.^(C) For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect^(D) those who draw near to worship.^{(E) 2} Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.^{(F) 3} But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.^{(G) 4} It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats^(H) to take away sins.^(I)

⁵ Therefore, when Christ came into the world,^(J) he said:

⁸ First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”^(N)—though they were offered in accordance with the law. ⁹ Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.”^(O) He sets aside the first to establish the second. ¹⁰ And by that will, we have been made holy^(P) through the sacrifice of the body^(Q) of Jesus Christ once for all.^(R)

¹¹ Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices,^(S) which can never take away sins.^{(T) 12} But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins,^(U) he sat down at the right hand of God,^{(V) 13} and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.^{(W) 14} For by one sacrifice he has made perfect^(X) forever those who are being made holy.^(Y)

¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also testifies^(Z) to us about this. First he says:

¹⁷ Then he adds:

¹⁸ And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

A Call to Persevere in Faith

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence^(AC) to enter the Most Holy Place^(AD) by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way^(AE) opened for us through the curtain,^(AF) that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest^(AG) over the house of God,^{(AH) 22} let us draw near to God^(AI) with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings,^(AJ) having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience^(AK) and having our bodies washed with pure water.^{(AL) 23} Let us hold unswervingly to the hope^(AM) we profess,^(AN) for he who promised is faithful.^{(AO) 24} And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,^{(AP) 25} not giving up meeting together,^(AQ) as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another^(AR)—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.^(AS)

²⁶ If we deliberately keep on sinning^(AT) after we have received the knowledge of the truth,^(AU) no sacrifice for sins is left, ²⁷ but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire^(AV) that will consume the enemies of God. ²⁸ Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.^{(AW) 29} How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God^(AX) underfoot,^(AY) who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant^(AZ) that sanctified them,^(BA) and who has insulted the Spirit^(BB) of grace?^{(BC) 30} For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[d](BD) and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”^{[e](BE) 31} It is a dreadful thing^(BF) to fall into the hands^(BG) of the living God.^(BH)

³² Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,^(BI) when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.^{(BJ) 33} Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution;^(BK) at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.^{(BL) 34} You suffered along with those in prison^(BM) and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.^{(BN) 35} So do not throw away your confidence;^(BO) it will be richly rewarded.

³⁶ You need to persevere^(BP) so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.^{(BQ) 37} For,

³⁸ And,

³⁹ But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Faith in Action

11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for^(BV) and assurance about what we do not see.^{(BW) 2} This is what the ancients were commended for.^(BX)

³ By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command,^(BY) so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

⁴ By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended^(BZ) as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings.^(CA) And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.^(CB)

⁵ By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”^[i](CC) For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him^(CD) must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

⁷ By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen,^(CE) in holy fear built an ark^(CF) to save his family.^(CG) By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.^(CH)

⁸ By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance,^(CI) obeyed and went,^(CJ) even though he did not know where he was going. ⁹ By faith he made his home in the promised land^(CK) like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents,^(CL) as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.^{(CM) 10} For he was looking forward to the city^(CN) with foundations,^(CO) whose architect and builder is God.^{(CP) 11} And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age,^(CQ) was enabled to bear children^(CR) because she^[j] considered him faithful^(CS) who had made the promise. ¹² And so from this one man, and he as good as dead,^(CT) came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.^(CU)

¹³ All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised;^(CV) they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance,^(CW) admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.^{(CX) 14} People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. ¹⁵ If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.^{(CY) 16} Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.^(CZ) Therefore God is not ashamed^(DA) to be called their God,^(DB) for he has prepared a city^(DC) for them.

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.^(DD) He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, ¹⁸ even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”^{[k](DE) 19} Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead,^(DF) and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

²⁰ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.^(DG)

²¹ By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons,^(DH) and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

²² By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.^(DI)

²³ By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born,^(DJ) because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.^(DK)

²⁴ By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.^{(DL) 25} He chose to be mistreated^(DM) along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. ²⁶ He regarded disgrace^(DN) for the sake of Christ^(DO) as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.^{(DP) 27} By faith he left Egypt,^(DQ) not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. ²⁸ By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer^(DR) of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.^(DS)

²⁹ By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.^(DT)

³⁰ By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.^(DU)

³¹ By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.^[l](DV)

³² And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon,^(DW) Barak,^(DX) Samson^(DY) and Jephthah,^(DZ) about David^(EA) and Samuel^(EB) and the prophets, ³³ who through faith conquered kingdoms,^(EC) administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,^{(ED) 34} quenched the fury of the flames,^(EE) and escaped the edge of the sword;^(EF) whose weakness was turned to strength;^(EG) and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.^{(EH) 35} Women received back their dead, raised to life again.^(EI) There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. ³⁶ Some faced jeers and flogging,^(EJ) and even chains and imprisonment.^{(EK) 37} They were put to death by stoning;^[m](EL) they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword.^(EM) They went about in sheepskins and goatskins,^(EN) destitute, persecuted and mistreated— ³⁸ the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves^(EO) and in holes in the ground.

³⁹ These were all commended^(EP) for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised,^{(EQ) 40} since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us^(ER) would they be made perfect.^(ES)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run^(ET) with perseverance^(EU) the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus,^(EV) the pioneer^(EW) and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,^(EX) scorning its shame,^(EY) and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.^{(EZ) 3} Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary^(FA) and lose heart.

God Disciplines His Children

⁴ In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.^{(FB) 5} And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.^(FF) For what children are not disciplined by their father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline^(FG)—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits^(FH) and live!^{(FI) 10} They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.^{(FJ) 11} No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace^(FK) for those who have been trained by it.

¹² Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.^{(FL) 13} “Make level paths for your feet,”^[o](FM) so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.^(FN)

Warning and Encouragement

¹⁴ Make every effort to live in peace with everyone^(FO) and to be holy;^(FP) without holiness no one will see the Lord.^{(FQ) 15} See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God^(FR) and that no bitter root^(FS) grows up to cause trouble and defile many. ¹⁶ See that no one is sexually immoral,^(FT) or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.^{(FU) 17} Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears,^(FV) he could not change what he had done.

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

¹⁸ You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;^{(FW) 19} to a trumpet blast^(FX) or to such a voice speaking words^(FY) that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,^{(FZ) 20} because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”^{[p](GA) 21} The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”^[q](GB)

²² But you have come to Mount Zion,^(GC) to the city^(GD) of the living God,^(GE) the heavenly Jerusalem.^(GF) You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, ²³ to the church of the firstborn,^(GG) whose names are written in heaven.^(GH) You have come to God, the Judge of all,^(GI) to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,^{(GJ) 24} to Jesus the mediator^(GK) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood^(GL) that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.^(GM)

²⁵ See to it that you do not refuse^(GN) him who speaks.^(GO) If they did not escape when they refused him who warned^(GP) them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?^{(GQ) 26} At that time his voice shook the earth,^(GR) but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”^{[r](GS) 27} The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken^(GT)—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,^(GU) let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,^{(GV) 29} for our “God is a consuming fire.”^[s](GW)

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,^(A)

To God’s elect,^(B) exiles^(C) scattered^(D) throughout the provinces of Pontus,^(E) Galatia,^(F) Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,^{(G) 2} who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge^(H) of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,^(I) to be obedient^(J) to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:^(K)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.^(L)

Praise to God for a Living Hope

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!^(M) In his great mercy^(N) he has given us new birth^(O) into a living hope^(P) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,^{(Q) 4} and into an inheritance^(R) that can never perish, spoil or fade.^(S) This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,^{(T) 5} who through faith are shielded by God’s power^(U) until the coming of the salvation^(V) that is ready to be revealed^(W) in the last time. ⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice,^(X) though now for a little while^(Y) you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.^{(Z) 7} These have come so that the proven genuineness^(AA) of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire^(AB)—may result in praise, glory and honor^(AC) when Jesus Christ is revealed.^{(AD) 8} Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him^(AE) and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.^(AF)

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke^(AG) of the grace that was to come to you,^(AH) searched intently and with the greatest care,^{(AI) 11} trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ^(AJ) in them was pointing when he predicted^(AK) the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. ¹² It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you,^(AL) when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you^(AM) by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.^(AN) Even angels long to look into these things.

Be Holy

¹³ Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober,^(AO) set your hope^(AP) on the grace to be brought to you^(AQ) when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.^{(AR) 14} As obedient^(AS) children, do not conform^(AT) to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.^{(AU) 15} But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;^{(AV) 16} for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”^[a](AW)

¹⁷ Since you call on a Father^(AX) who judges each person’s work^(AY) impartially,^(AZ) live out your time as foreigners^(BA) here in reverent fear.^{(BB) 18} For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed^(BC) from the empty way of life^(BD) handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood^(BE) of Christ, a lamb^(BF) without blemish or defect.^{(BG) 20} He was chosen before the creation of the world,^(BH) but was revealed in these last times^(BI) for your sake. ²¹ Through him you believe in God,^(BJ) who raised him from the dead^(BK) and glorified him,^(BL) and so your faith and hope^(BM) are in God.

²² Now that you have purified^(BN) yourselves by obeying^(BO) the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply,^(BP) from the heart.^{[b] 23} For you have been born again,^(BQ) not of perishable seed, but of imperishable,^(BR) through the living and enduring word of God.^{(BS) 24} For,

And this is the word that was preached to you.

2 Therefore, rid yourselves^(BU) of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander^(BV) of every kind. ² Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,^(BW) so that by it you may grow up^(BX) in your salvation, ³ now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.^(BY)

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

⁴ As you come to him, the living Stone^(BZ)—rejected by humans but chosen by God^(CA) and precious to him— ⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built^(CB) into a spiritual house^[d](CC) to be a holy priesthood,^(CD) offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.^{(CE) 6} For in Scripture it says:

⁷ Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,^(CH)

⁸ and,

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.^(CL)

⁹ But you are a chosen people,^(CM) a royal priesthood,^(CN) a holy nation,^(CO) God’s special possession,^(CP) that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.^{(CQ) 10} Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;^(CR) once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

¹¹ Dear friends,^(CS) I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,^(CT) to abstain from sinful desires,^(CU) which wage war against your soul.^{(CV) 12} Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds^(CW) and glorify God^(CX) on the day he visits us.

¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:^(CY) whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴ or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong^(CZ) and to commend those who do right.^{(DA) 15} For it is God’s will^(DB) that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.^{(DC) 16} Live as free people,^(DD) but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;^(DE) live as God’s slaves.^{(DF) 17} Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers,^(DG) fear God, honor the emperor.^(DH)

¹⁸ Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters,^(DI) not only to those who are good and considerate,^(DJ) but also to those who are harsh. ¹⁹ For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.^{(DK) 20} But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.^{(DL) 21} To this^(DM) you were called,^(DN) because Christ suffered for you,^(DO) leaving you an example,^(DP) that you should follow in his steps.

²³ When they hurled their insults at him,^(DS) he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.^(DT) Instead, he entrusted himself^(DU) to him who judges justly.^{(DV) 24} “He himself bore our sins”^(DW) in his body on the cross,^(DX) so that we might die to sins^(DY) and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”^{(DZ) 25} For “you were like sheep going astray,”^[i](EA) but now you have returned to the Shepherd^(EB) and Overseer of your souls.^(EC)

3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves^(ED) to your own husbands^(EE) so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over^(EF) without words by the behavior of their wives, ² when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. ³ Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.^{(EG) 4} Rather, it should be that of your inner self,^(EH) the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.^{(EI) 5} For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God^(EJ) used to adorn themselves.^(EK) They submitted themselves to their own husbands, ⁶ like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord.^(EL) You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

⁷ Husbands,^(EM) in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Suffering for Doing Good

⁸ Finally, all of you, be like-minded,^(EN) be sympathetic, love one another,^(EO) be compassionate and humble.^{(EP) 9} Do not repay evil with evil^(EQ) or insult with insult.^(ER) On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,^(ES) because to this^(ET) you were called^(EU) so that you may inherit a blessing.^{(EV) 10} For,

¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?^{(EX) 14} But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.^(EY) “Do not fear their threats^[k]; do not be frightened.”^{[l](EZ) 15} But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer^(FA) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope^(FB) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience,^(FC) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.^{(FD) 17} For it is better, if it is God’s will,^(FE) to suffer for doing good^(FF) than for doing evil. ¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once^(FG) for sins,^(FH) the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.^(FI) He was put to death in the body^(FJ) but made alive in the Spirit.^{(FK) 19} After being made alive,^[m] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits^(FL)— ²⁰ to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently^(FM) in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.^(FN) In it only a few people, eight in all,^(FO) were saved^(FP) through water, ²¹ and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you^(FQ) also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience^(FR) toward God.^[n] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,^{(FS) 22} who has gone into heaven^(FT) and is at God’s right hand^(FU)—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.^(FV)

Living for God

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body,^(FW) arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.^{(FX) 2} As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,^(FY) but rather for the will of God. ³ For you have spent enough time in the past^(FZ) doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.^{(GA) 4} They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.^{(GB) 5} But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.^{(GC) 6} For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead,^(GD) so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

⁷ The end of all things is near.^(GE) Therefore be alert and of sober mind^(GF) so that you may pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply,^(GG) because love covers over a multitude of sins.^{(GH) 9} Offer hospitality^(GI) to one another without grumbling.^{(GJ) 10} Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,^(GK) as faithful^(GL) stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.^(GM) If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,^(GN) so that in all things God may be praised^(GO) through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.^(GP)

Suffering for Being a Christian

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you^(GQ) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice^(GR) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,^(GS) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.^{(GT) 14} If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,^(GU) you are blessed,^(GV) for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶ However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.^{(GW) 17} For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;^(GX) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?^{(GY) 18} And,

¹⁹ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will^(HA) should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

To the Elders and the Flock

5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder^(HB) and a witness^(HC) of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:^{(HD) 2} Be shepherds of God’s flock^(HE) that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;^(HF) not pursuing dishonest gain,^(HG) but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over^(HH) those entrusted to you, but being examples^(HI) to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd^(HJ) appears, you will receive the crown of glory^(HK) that will never fade away.^(HL)

⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves^(HM) to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility^(HN) toward one another, because,

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.^{(HP) 7} Cast all your anxiety on him^(HQ) because he cares for you.^(HR)

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind.^(HS) Your enemy the devil prowls around^(HT) like a roaring lion^(HU) looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him,^(HV) standing firm in the faith,^(HW) because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.^(HX)

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you^(HY) to his eternal glory^(HZ) in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,^(IA) will himself restore you and make you strong,^(IB) firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.^(IC)

Final Greetings

¹² With the help of Silas,^[q](ID) whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly,^(IE) encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.^(IF)

¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.^{(IG) 14} Greet one another with a kiss of love.^(IH)

Peace^(II) to all of you who are in Christ.