Leadership and Humility

Therefore I, your fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and[a] also a sharer of the glory that is going to be revealed, exhort the elders among you: shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not by compulsion but willingly, in accordance with God, and not greedily but eagerly, and not as lording it over those under your care[b], but being examples for the flock. And when[c] the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

In the same way, younger men, be subject to the elders, and all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the right time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares[d] for you.

Be sober; be on the alert. Your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him[e], steadfast in your[f] faith, because you[g] know the same kinds of sufferings are being accomplished by your community of believers in the world. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ,[h] after you[i] have suffered for a short time, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power forever and ever[j].[k] Amen.

Conclusion and Final Greetings

12 Through Silvanus, the faithful brother (as I consider him), I have written to you briefly[l] to encourage you and to attest that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen the same as you, greets you, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:1 The conjunction “and” is supplied here to make it clear that the following phrase refers also to the author of the letter and not to Christ
  2. 1 Peter 5:3 Literally “the portion”
  3. 1 Peter 5:4 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“appears”)
  4. 1 Peter 5:7 Literally “it is a care to him”
  5. 1 Peter 5:9 Literally “to whom resist”
  6. 1 Peter 5:9 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  7. 1 Peter 5:9 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“know”) which is understood as causal
  8. 1 Peter 5:10 Some manuscripts have “in Christ Jesus”
  9. 1 Peter 5:10 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“have suffered”) which is understood as temporal
  10. 1 Peter 5:11 Literally “to the ages of the ages”
  11. 1 Peter 5:11 Some manuscripts have “forever” (literally “to the ages”)
  12. 1 Peter 5:12 Literally “by a few”

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.

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

Tending the Flock of God

Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight,[a] not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it[b]—not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders.[c] And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for

‘God opposes the proud,
    but gives grace to the humble.’

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves; keep alert.[d] Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters[e] throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings and Benediction

12 Through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, I have written this short letter to encourage you, and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 13 Your sister church[f] in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.

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

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:2 Other ancient authorities lack exercising the oversight
  2. 1 Peter 5:2 Other ancient authorities lack as God would have you do it
  3. 1 Peter 5:5 Or of those who are older
  4. 1 Peter 5:8 Or be vigilant
  5. 1 Peter 5:9 Gk your brotherhood
  6. 1 Peter 5:13 Gk She who is
  7. 1 Peter 5:14 Other ancient authorities add Amen