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The Flock of God

Now I have something to say to the elders in your group. I am also an elder. I myself have seen Christ’s sufferings. And I will share in the glory that will be shown to us. I beg you to take care of God’s flock, his people, that you are responsible for. Watch over it because you want to, not because you are forced to do it. That is how God wants it. Do it because you are happy to serve, not because you want money. Do not be like a ruler over people you are responsible for. Be good examples to them. Then when Christ, the Head Shepherd, comes, you will get a crown. This crown will be glorious, and it will never lose its beauty.

In the same way, younger men should be willing to be under older men. And all of you should be very humble with each other.

“God is against the proud,
    but he gives grace to the humble.” Proverbs 3:34

So be humble under God’s powerful hand. Then he will lift you up when the right time comes. Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you.

Control yourselves and be careful! The devil is your enemy. And he goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat. Refuse to give in to the devil. Stand strong in your faith. You know that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are having the same sufferings you have.

10 Yes, you will suffer for a short time. But after that, God will make everything right. He will make you strong. He will support you and keep you from falling. He is the God who gives all grace. He called you to share in his glory in Christ. That glory will continue forever. 11 All power is his forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

12 I wrote this short letter with the help of Silas. I know that he is a faithful brother in Christ. I wrote to comfort and encourage you. I wanted to tell you that this is the true grace of God. Stand strong in that grace.

13 The church in Babylon sends you greetings. They were chosen the same as you. Mark, my son in Christ, also greets you. 14 Give each other a kiss of Christian love when you meet.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Shepherd the Flock

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a (A)witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the (B)glory that will be revealed: (C)Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, (D)not by compulsion but [a]willingly, (E)not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as (F)being [b]lords over (G)those entrusted to you, but (H)being examples to the flock; and when (I)the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive (J)the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Submit to God, Resist the Devil

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, (K)all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

(L)“God resists the proud,
But (M)gives grace to the humble.”

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Be [c]sober, be [d]vigilant; [e]because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But [f]may the God of all grace, (N)who called [g]us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, [h]perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 (O)To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Farewell and Peace

12 By (P)Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying (Q)that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.

13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does (R)Mark my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:2 NU adds according to God
  2. 1 Peter 5:3 masters
  3. 1 Peter 5:8 self-controlled
  4. 1 Peter 5:8 watchful
  5. 1 Peter 5:8 NU, M omit because
  6. 1 Peter 5:10 NU the God of all grace,
  7. 1 Peter 5:10 NU, M you
  8. 1 Peter 5:10 NU will perfect

The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Tend the flock of God which is among you, [a]exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, [b]according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away. [c]Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but 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 anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom withstand stedfast in [d]your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are [e]accomplished in your [f]brethren who are in the world. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself [g]perfect, establish, strengthen [h]you. 11 To him be the dominion [i]for ever and ever. Amen.

12 By Silvanus, [j]our faithful brother, as I account him, I have written unto you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God: stand ye fast therein. 13 [k]She that is in Babylon, elect together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Mark my son. 14 Salute one another with a kiss of love.

Peace be unto you all that are in Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:2 Some ancient authorities omit exercising the oversight.
  2. 1 Peter 5:2 Some ancient authorities omit according to the will of God.
  3. 1 Peter 5:5 Or, Likewise . . . elder; yea, all of you one to another. Gird yourselves with humility
  4. 1 Peter 5:9 Or, the
  5. 1 Peter 5:9 Greek being accomplished.
  6. 1 Peter 5:9 Greek brotherhood.
  7. 1 Peter 5:10 Or, restore
  8. 1 Peter 5:10 Many ancient authorities add settle.
  9. 1 Peter 5:11 Greek unto the ages of the ages.
  10. 1 Peter 5:12 Greek the.
  11. 1 Peter 5:13 That is, The church, or, The sister