Book of Common Prayer

A special exhortation for all bishops or priests to feed the flock of Christ, and what their duty is, and what reward they shall have if they be diligent. He exhorts young persons to submit themselves to the elders, and everyone to love one another, to be sober, and to watch so that they may resist the enemy.

5 The elders who are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the afflictions of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. ² See that you feed the flock of Christ that is among you, taking the oversight of them not as though you were compelled to it, but willingly; ³ not for wrongful gain, but of a good mind; not as though you were lords over the parishes, but so that you are an example to the flock. ⁴ And when the chief shepherd appears, you shall receive an incorruptible crown of glory.

⁵ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to the elders. Submit yourselves everyone, one to another. Knit yourselves together in lowliness of mind. For God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. ⁶ Submit yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you when the time is come. ⁷ Cast all your care upon him, for he cares for you.

⁸ Be sober and watch, for your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; ⁹ whom resist steadfast in the faith, remembering that you do but fulfil the same afflictions as are appointed to your brethren that are in the world. ¹⁰ The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, will his own self, after you have suffered a little affliction, make you perfect – will settle, strengthen, and establish you. ¹¹ To him be glory and dominion forever and while the world endures. Amen.

¹² By Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother to you, I have written briefly, exhorting and testifying how this is the true grace of God, wherein you stand.

¹³ The companions of your election who are at Babylon send greetings to you; and Mark, my son.

¹⁴ Greet ye one another with the kiss of love.

Peace be with you
all who are in
Christ Jesus.
Amen.

The genealogy of Christ and marriage of his mother Mary. The angel satisfies Joseph’s mind.

1 This is the account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son also of Abraham:

¹⁶ Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born that Jesus that is called Christ.

¹⁷ All the generations from Abraham to David are 14 generations. And from David to the captivity of Babylon are 14 generations. And from the captivity of Babylon to Christ are also 14 generations.

The baptism, preaching, and office of John the Baptist, and how Christ was baptized by him in the Jordan.

3 In those days John the Baptist came and preached in the wilderness of Judea, ² saying, Repent: the kingdom of heaven is at hand! ³ This is he of whom it is spoken by the prophet Isaiah, who says, The voice of a crier in wilderness: Prepare the Lord’s way, and make his paths straight.

⁴ This John had his garment of camel’s hair, and a girdle of skin about his loins. His food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ At that time Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the region round about the Jordan, went out to him, ⁶ and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.