About the Elders

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) 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; 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 who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with[c] humility toward one another, because

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

Conclusion

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

Footnotes

  1. 5:2 Other mss omit overseeing
  2. 5:2 Other mss omit as God would have you
  3. 5:5 Or you tie around yourselves
  4. 5:5 Pr 3:34 LXX
  5. 5:10 Other mss read in Christ Jesus
  6. 5:10 Or to a small extent
  7. 5:11 Some mss read dominion and glory; other mss read glory and dominion
  8. 5:11 Other mss read forever and ever
  9. 5:12 Or Silas; Ac 15:22–32; 16:19–40; 17:1–16
  10. 5:14 Other mss read Christ Jesus. Amen.

A word to your leaders

1-4 Now may I who am myself an elder say a word to you my fellow-elders? I speak as one who actually saw Christ suffer, and as one who will share with you the glories that are to be unfolded to us. I urge you then to see that your “flock of God” is properly fed and cared for. Accept the responsibility of looking after them willingly and not because you feel you can’t get out of it, doing your work not for what you can make, but because you are really concerned for their well-being. You should aim not at being “little tin gods” but as examples of Christian living in the eyes of the flock committed to your charge. And then, when the chief shepherd reveals himself, you will receive that crown of glory which cannot fade.

Learn to be humble and to trust

You younger members must also submit to the elders. Indeed all of you should defer to one another and wear the “overall” of humility in serving each other. ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’.

6-7 So, humble yourselves under God’s strong hand, and in his own good time he will lift you up. You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon him, for you are his personal concern.

Resist the devil: you are in God’s hands

8-11 Be self-controlled and vigilant always, for your enemy the devil is always about, prowling like a lion roaring for its prey. Resist him, standing firm in your faith and remember that the strain is the same for all your fellow-Christians in other parts of the world. And after you have borne these sufferings a very little while, God himself (from whom we receive all grace and who has called you to share his eternal splendour through Christ) will make you whole and secure and strong. All power is his for ever and ever, amen!

Final greetings

12 I am sending this short letter by Silvanus, whom I know to be a faithful brother, to stimulate your faith and assure you that the above words represent the true grace of God. See that you stand fast in that grace!

13-14 Your sister-church here in “Babylon” sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark. Give each other a handshake all round as a sign of love. Peace be to all true Christians.

PETER

Serve God Willingly

(A)Therefore, I urge elders among you, as your (B)fellow elder and a (C)witness of the sufferings of Christ, and one who is also a [a](D)fellow partaker of the glory that is to be revealed: shepherd (E)the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, (F)not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and (G)not [b]with greed but with eagerness; nor yet as (H)domineering over [c]those assigned to your care, but by [d]proving to be [e](I)examples to the flock. And when the Chief (J)Shepherd appears, you will receive the (K)unfading [f](L)crown of glory. (M)You [g]younger men, likewise, (N)be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with (O)humility toward one another, because (P)God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.

Therefore (Q)humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, having cast all your (R)anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. (S)Be of sober spirit, (T)be on the alert. Your adversary, (U)the devil, prowls around like a roaring (V)lion, seeking someone to devour. [h](W)So resist him, (X)firm in your faith, knowing that (Y)the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your [i]brothers and sisters who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered (Z)for a little while, the (AA)God of all grace, who (AB)called you to His (AC)eternal glory in Christ, will Himself (AD)perfect, (AE)confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 (AF)To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

12 Through (AG)Silvanus, our faithful brother [j](for so I regard him), (AH)I have written to you briefly, [k]exhorting and testifying that this is (AI)the true grace of God. (AJ)Stand firm in it! 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, (AK)Mark. 14 (AL)Greet one another with a kiss of love.

(AM)Peace be to you all who are in Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:1 Or partner in
  2. 1 Peter 5:2 Or for dishonest gain
  3. 1 Peter 5:3 Lit the allotments
  4. 1 Peter 5:3 Or becoming examples
  5. 1 Peter 5:3 Or role models
  6. 1 Peter 5:4 Lit wreath
  7. 1 Peter 5:5 Or young people
  8. 1 Peter 5:9 Lit Whom resist
  9. 1 Peter 5:9 Lit fellowship
  10. 1 Peter 5:12 Lit (as I consider)
  11. 1 Peter 5:12 Or encouraging

Advice for Elders and Young Men

And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for

“God opposes the proud
    but gives grace to the humble.”[a]

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers[b] all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen.

Peter’s Final Greetings

12 I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas,[c] whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.

13 Your sister church here in Babylon[d] sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet each other with a kiss of love.

Peace be with all of you who are in Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 5:5 Prov 3:34 (Greek version).
  2. 5:9 Greek your brotherhood.
  3. 5:12 Greek Silvanus.
  4. 5:13 Greek The elect one in Babylon. Babylon was probably symbolic for Rome.