³⁷ Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them.^(A)

Final Exhortation and Doxology

¹⁴ Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish,^(A)

⁴ got up from supper, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself.^{(A) 5} Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.

⁴² Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day^[a] your Lord is coming.^(A)

²³ I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better,^(A)

⁹ But, as it is written,

¹³ And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord.” “Yes,”^[a] says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.”^(A)

¹¹ For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.

Tending the Flock of God

5 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^{(A) 2} 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.^{(B) 3} Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock.^{(C) 4} And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away.^(D)

⁷ I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.^{(A) 8} From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.^(B)