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About the Elders

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: 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; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd(D) appears, you will receive the unfading crown(E) of glory.

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

God resists the proud
but gives grace to the humble.(F)[d]

Humble(G) yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand(H) of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,[e] casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.(I)

Conclusion

Be serious!(J) Be alert!(K) Your adversary the Devil(L) is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 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. 1 Peter 5:2 Other mss omit overseeing
  2. 1 Peter 5:2 Other mss omit according to God’s will
  3. 1 Peter 5:5 Lit you tie around yourselves
  4. 1 Peter 5:5 Pr 3:34 LXX
  5. 1 Peter 5:6 Lit in time
  6. 1 Peter 5:10 Lit Himself
  7. 1 Peter 5:10 Or a little while, or to a small extent
  8. 1 Peter 5:11 Other mss read dominion and glory; other mss read glory and dominion
  9. 1 Peter 5:11 Other mss read forever and ever
  10. 1 Peter 5:12 Or Silas; Ac 15:22-32; 16:19-40; 17:1-16
  11. 1 Peter 5:13 Probably refers to Rome
  12. 1 Peter 5:14 Other mss read Christ Jesus. Amen.

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Therefore, I have a request for the elders among you. (I ask this as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and as one who shares in the glory that is about to be revealed.) I urge the elders: Like shepherds, tend the flock of God among you. Watch over it. Don’t shepherd because you must, but do it voluntarily for God. Don’t shepherd greedily, but do it eagerly. Don’t shepherd by ruling over those entrusted to your care, but become examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive an unfading crown of glory.

In the same way, I urge you who are younger: accept the authority of the elders. And everyone, clothe yourselves with humility toward each other. God stands against the proud, but he gives favor to the humble.

Therefore, humble yourselves under God’s power so that he may raise you up in the last day. Throw all your anxiety onto him, because he cares about you. Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. Do so in the knowledge that your fellow believers are enduring the same suffering throughout the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, the one who called you into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself restore, empower, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be power forever and always. Amen.

Final greeting

12 I have written and sent these few lines to you by Silvanus. I consider him to be a faithful brother. In these lines I have urged and affirmed that this is the genuine grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 The fellow-elect church in Babylon greets you, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet each other with the kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ.

To the Elders and the Flock

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder(A) and a witness(B) of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:(C) Be shepherds of God’s flock(D) that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;(E) not pursuing dishonest gain,(F) but eager to serve; not lording it over(G) those entrusted to you, but being examples(H) to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd(I) appears, you will receive the crown of glory(J) that will never fade away.(K)

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

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[a](N)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.(O) Cast all your anxiety on him(P) because he cares for you.(Q)

Be alert and of sober mind.(R) Your enemy the devil prowls around(S) like a roaring lion(T) looking for someone to devour. Resist him,(U) standing firm in the faith,(V) because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.(W)

10 And the God of all grace, who called you(X) to his eternal glory(Y) in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,(Z) will himself restore you and make you strong,(AA) firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.(AB)

Final Greetings

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

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

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

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:5 Prov. 3:34
  2. 1 Peter 5:12 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas

Admonition to Elders

Therefore, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and as one who also shares in the glory that is about to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: Shepherd God’s flock that is among you, serving as overseers, not grudgingly but willingly, as God desires,[a] not because you are greedy for money but because you are eager to do it. Do not lord it over those entrusted to your care, but be examples for the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive an unfading crown of glory.

Final Exhortations

Likewise, young men, be submissive to those who are older.[b] And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility[c] toward one another. For “God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.”[d]

Therefore humble yourselves under God’s powerful hand so that he may lift you up at the appointed time.[e] Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Have sound judgment. Be alert. Your adversary,[f] the Devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him by being firm in the faith. You know that the same kinds of sufferings are being laid on your brotherhood[g] all over the world.

10 After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who called you into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you. 11 To him be the glory and[h] the power forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

12 I have written to you briefly (through Silas,[i] whom I consider a faithful brother), to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is in Babylon, who was chosen along with you, greets you. So does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ Jesus.[j]

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:2 Some witnesses to the text omit as God desires.
  2. 1 Peter 5:5 Or the elders
  3. 1 Peter 5:5 A few witnesses to the text add while yielding.
  4. 1 Peter 5:5 Proverbs 3:34
  5. 1 Peter 5:6 A few witnesses to the text read at the time he visits us.
  6. 1 Peter 5:8 Some witnesses to the text read Be alert because your enemy.
  7. 1 Peter 5:9 Or family of believers
  8. 1 Peter 5:11 A few witnesses to the text omit the glory and.
  9. 1 Peter 5:12 Silvanus in Greek
  10. 1 Peter 5:14 Some witnesses to the text omit Jesus.