About the Elders

5 I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness^(A) to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed:^{(B) 2} Shepherd God’s flock among you,^(C) not overseeing^[a] out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you;^[b] not out of greed for 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 who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with^[c] humility toward one another, because

Conclusion

⁶ Humble^(G) yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand^(H) of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷ casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.^{(I) 8} Be sober-minded,^(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) firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

¹⁰ The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory^(N) in Christ,^[e] will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.^{[f] 11} To him be dominion^[g] forever.^[h] Amen.

¹² Through Silvanus,^[i](O) a faithful brother (as I consider him), I have written to you briefly in order to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! ¹³ She who is in Babylon,^(P) chosen together with you, 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.^[j]