1 Peter 5

Advice for Elders and Young Men

1And 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: 2Care 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. 3Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

5In 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.”#5:5 Prov 3:34 (Greek version).

6So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

8Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers#5:9 Greek your brotherhood. all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

10In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11All power to him forever! Amen.

Peter’s Final Greetings

12I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas,#5:12 Greek Silvanus. whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.

13Your sister church here in Babylon#5:13 Greek The elect one in Babylon. Babylon was probably symbolic for Rome. sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14Greet each other with a kiss of love.

Peace be with all of you who are in Christ.

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1 Peter 5

Shepherd the Flock of God

1So I exhort the elders among you, #[2 John 1; 3 John 1] as a fellow elder and #See Luke 24:48a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2#[Jude 12]; See John 21:16shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,#5:2 Some manuscripts omit exercising oversight #[Philem. 14] not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;#5:2 Some manuscripts omit as God would have you #1 Tim. 3:8; Titus 1:7not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3not #Ezek. 34:4; Matt. 20:25; Mark 10:42; 2 Cor. 1:24domineering over those in your charge, but #Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7being examples to the flock. 4And when #Heb. 13:20the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the #[ch. 1:4] unfading #1 Cor. 9:25; See James 1:12crown of glory. 5Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. #[Matt. 20:26, 27; John 13:4, 5, 14] Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for #See James 4:6, 10“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

6 # [See ver. 5 above] Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7#[Ps. 37:5; 55:22]; See Matt. 6:25casting all your anxieties on him, because #Ps. 40:17he cares for you. 8#See ch. 1:13Be sober-minded; #See Matt. 24:42be watchful. Your #Eph. 4:27; 6:11; Rev. 12:9, 12; [Job 1:9-12; Luke 22:31; 2 Cor. 2:11] adversary the devil #Job 1:7; 2:2prowls around #[Ps. 22:21]like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9#James 4:7Resist him, #Col. 2:5firm in your faith, knowing that #Acts 14:22; 1 Thess. 3:3; 2 Tim. 3:12the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10And #ch. 1:6after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, #1 Cor. 1:9; 1 Thess. 2:12; 1 Tim. 6:12who has called you to his #2 Tim. 2:10eternal glory in Christ, will himself #Heb. 13:21restore, #Luke 22:32; Rom. 16:25confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11#See ch. 4:11To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

12By #Acts 15:22; 2 Cor. 1:19; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, #[Heb. 13:22] I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is #See Acts 11:23the true grace of God. #See 1 Cor. 15:1Stand firm in it. 13She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does #See Acts 12:12Mark, my son. 14#See Rom. 16:16Greet one another with the kiss of love.

# Eph. 6:23 Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

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