1 Peter 5
English Standard Version
Shepherd the Flock of God
5 So I exhort the elders among you, (A)as a fellow elder and (B)a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 (C)shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,[a] (D)not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;[b] (E)not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not (F)domineering over those in your charge, but (G)being examples to the flock. 4 And when (H)the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the (I)unfading (J)crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. (K)Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for (L)“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
6 (M)Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 (N)casting all your anxieties on him, because (O)he cares for you. 8 (P)Be sober-minded; (Q)be watchful. Your (R)adversary the devil (S)prowls around (T)like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 (U)Resist him, (V)firm in your faith, knowing that (W)the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And (X)after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, (Y)who has called you to his (Z)eternal glory in Christ, will himself (AA)restore, (AB)confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 (AC)To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
12 By (AD)Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, (AE)I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is (AF)the true grace of God. (AG)Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does (AH)Mark, my son. 14 (AI)Greet one another with the kiss of love.
(AJ)Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 5:2 Some manuscripts omit exercising oversight
- 1 Peter 5:2 Some manuscripts omit as God would have you
1 Peter 5
Good News Translation
The Flock of God
5 I, who am an elder myself, appeal to the church elders among you. I am a witness of Christ's sufferings, and I will share in the glory that will be revealed. I appeal to you 2 (A)to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you and to take care of it willingly, as God wants you to, and not unwillingly. Do your work, not for mere pay, but from a real desire to serve. 3 Do not try to rule over those who have been put in your care, but be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the glorious crown which will never lose its brightness.
5 (B)In the same way you younger people must submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, “God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble.” 6 (C)Humble yourselves, then, under God's mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. 7 (D)Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.
8 Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Be firm in your faith and resist him, because you know that other believers in all the world are going through the same kind of sufferings. 10 But after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who calls you to share his eternal glory in union with Christ, will himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation. 11 To him be the power forever! Amen.
Final Greetings
12 (E)I write you this brief letter with the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful Christian. I want to encourage you and give my testimony that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
13 (F)Your sister church in Babylon,[a] also chosen by God, sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of Christian love.
May peace be with all of you who belong to Christ.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 5:13 As in the book of Revelation, this probably refers to Rome.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. For more information about GNT, visit www.bibles.com and www.gnt.bible.
