1 Peter 5
Holman Christian Standard Bible
About the Elders
5 Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness(A) to the sufferings of the Messiah and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed,(B) I exhort the elders among you: 2 Shepherd God’s flock among you,(C) not overseeing[a] out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will;[b] not for the money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd(D) appears, you will receive the unfading crown(E) of glory.
5 In the same way, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with[c] humility toward one another, because
6 Humble(G) yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand(H) of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,[e] 7 casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.(I)
Conclusion
8 Be serious!(J) Be alert!(K) Your adversary the Devil(L) is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him(M) and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
10 Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory(N) in Christ Jesus, will personally[f] restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.[g] 11 The dominion[h] belongs to Him forever.[i] Amen.
12 I have written you this brief letter through Silvanus[j](O) (I know him to be a faithful brother) to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Take your stand in it! 13 The church in Babylon,[k](P) also chosen, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.(Q) Peace(R) to all of you who are in Christ.[l]
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 5:2 Other mss omit overseeing
- 1 Peter 5:2 Other mss omit according to God’s will
- 1 Peter 5:5 Lit you tie around yourselves
- 1 Peter 5:5 Pr 3:34 LXX
- 1 Peter 5:6 Lit in time
- 1 Peter 5:10 Lit Himself
- 1 Peter 5:10 Or a little while, or to a small extent
- 1 Peter 5:11 Other mss read dominion and glory; other mss read glory and dominion
- 1 Peter 5:11 Other mss read forever and ever
- 1 Peter 5:12 Or Silas; Ac 15:22-32; 16:19-40; 17:1-16
- 1 Peter 5:13 Probably refers to Rome
- 1 Peter 5:14 Other mss read Christ Jesus. Amen.
1 Peter 5
English Standard Version
Shepherd the Flock of God
5 So I exhort the elders among you, (A)as a fellow elder and (B)a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 (C)shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,[a] (D)not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;[b] (E)not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not (F)domineering over those in your charge, but (G)being examples to the flock. 4 And when (H)the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the (I)unfading (J)crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. (K)Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for (L)“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
6 (M)Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 (N)casting all your anxieties on him, because (O)he cares for you. 8 (P)Be sober-minded; (Q)be watchful. Your (R)adversary the devil (S)prowls around (T)like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 (U)Resist him, (V)firm in your faith, knowing that (W)the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And (X)after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, (Y)who has called you to his (Z)eternal glory in Christ, will himself (AA)restore, (AB)confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 (AC)To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
12 By (AD)Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, (AE)I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is (AF)the true grace of God. (AG)Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does (AH)Mark, my son. 14 (AI)Greet one another with the kiss of love.
(AJ)Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 5:2 Some manuscripts omit exercising oversight
- 1 Peter 5:2 Some manuscripts omit as God would have you
1 Peter 5
The Message
He’ll Promote You at the Right Time
5 1-3 I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it’s like to be a leader, in on Christ’s sufferings as well as the coming glory. Here’s my concern: that you care for God’s flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way.
4-5 When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he’ll see that you’ve done it right and commend you lavishly. And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for—
God has had it with the proud,
But takes delight in just plain people.
6-7 So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.
He Gets the Last Word
8-11 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.
12 I’m sending this brief letter to you by Silas, a most dependable brother. I have the highest regard for him.
I’ve written as urgently and accurately as I know how. This is God’s generous truth; embrace it with both arms!
13-14 The church in exile here with me—but not for a moment forgotten by God—wants to be remembered to you. Mark, who is like a son to me, says hello. Give holy hugs all around! Peace to you—to all who walk in Christ’s ways.
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