^32 [a](A)Do not be afraid, ^(B)little flock, because ^(C)your Father has chosen to give you the kingdom.

The Love Question

¹⁵ Now when they had ^(A)finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you ^[a](B)love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I ^[b]love You.” He *said to him, “Tend ^(C)My lambs.” ¹⁶ He *said to him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you ^[c]love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I ^[d]love You.” He *said to him, “^(D)Shepherd My sheep.” ¹⁷ He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you ^[e]love Me?” Peter was ^[f]hurt because He said to him ^(E)the third time, “Do you ^[g]love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, ^(F)You know all things; You know that I ^[h]love You.” Jesus *said to him, “^(G)Tend My sheep.

²⁹ I know that after my departure ^(A)savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing ^(B)the flock;

² shepherd ^(A)the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, ^(B)not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and ^(C)not ^[a]with greed but with eagerness; ³ nor yet as ^(D)domineering over ^[b]those assigned to your care, but by ^[c]proving to be ^[d](E)examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief ^(F)Shepherd appears, you will receive the ^(G)unfading ^[e](H)crown of glory. ^5 (I)You ^[f]younger men, likewise, ^(J)be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with ^(K)humility toward one another, because ^(L)God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.

⁶ Therefore ^(M)humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷ having cast all your ^(N)anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. ^8 (O)Be of sober spirit, ^(P)be on the alert. Your adversary, ^(Q)the devil, prowls around like a roaring ^(R)lion, seeking someone to devour. ^9 [g](S)So resist him, ^(T)firm in your faith, knowing that ^(U)the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your ^[h]brothers and sisters who are in the world. ¹⁰ After you have suffered ^(V)for a little while, the ^(W)God of all grace, who ^(X)called you to His ^(Y)eternal glory in Christ, will Himself ^(Z)perfect, ^(AA)confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ^11 (AB)To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

¹² Through ^(AC)Silvanus, our faithful brother ^[i](for so I regard him), ^(AD)I have written to you briefly, ^[j]exhorting and testifying that this is ^(AE)the true grace of God. ^(AF)Stand firm in it! ¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, ^(AG)Mark. ^14 (AH)Greet one another with a kiss of love.

^(AI)Peace be to you all who are in Christ.