³⁷ It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.^(A) Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.^(B)

⁴ so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.^{(A) 5} After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet,^(B) drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

¹⁴ So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless^(A) and at peace with him.

⁹ However, as it is written:

⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.^(A)

²³ I am torn between the two: I desire to depart^(A) and be with Christ,^(B) which is better by far;

¹³ Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord^(A) from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit,^(B) “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom^(A) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.^(B)

To the Elders and the Flock

5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder^(A) and a witness^(B) of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:^{(C) 2} Be shepherds of God’s flock^(D) that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;^(E) not pursuing dishonest gain,^(F) but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over^(G) those entrusted to you, but being examples^(H) to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd^(I) appears, you will receive the crown of glory^(J) that will never fade away.^(K)