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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]

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Footnotes

  1. 5:5 Prov 3:34 (Greek version).

Be Shepherds of God’s Flock

Therefore, as a fellow elder, a witness of the Messiah’s[a] sufferings, and one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over it, not because you must but because you want to, and not greedily but eagerly, as God desires. Do not lord it over the people entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock. Then, when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the victor’s crown of glory that will never fade away.

Be Humble and Alert

In a similar way, you young people must submit to the elders.[b] All of you must clothe yourselves with humility for the sake of each other, because:

“God opposes the arrogant,
    but gives grace to the humble.”[c]

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:1 Or Christ’s
  2. 1 Peter 5:5 Or to those who are older
  3. 1 Peter 5:5 Cf. Prov 3:34 (LXX)