1 Peter 5
1 As for the older men among you, who bear office in the Church, I, their fellow-Officer, and a witness to the sufferings of the Christ, who shall also share in the glory that is to be revealed —
The elders that are among you I exhort, who am also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory which shall be revealed; feed the flock of God that is among you,
2 I urge you to be true shepherds of the flock of God among you, not because you are compelled, but of your own free will; not from a base love of gain, but with a ready spirit;
taking the episcopal charge of it, not by constraint, but willingly; not for shameful lucre, but with a ready mind:
3 not as lords of your charges, but as examples to your flock.
nor as lording it over the people, but being examples to the flock.
4 Then, when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades.
And when the sovereign Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive an unfading crown of glory.
5 Again, you younger men should show deference to the older. And all of you should put on the badge of humility in mutual service, for ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives his help to the humble.’
Likewise ye younger, be subject to the elder; and all of you behaving with due submission one to another, be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, but sheweth favor to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in his good time,
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time;
7 laying all your anxieties upon him, for he makes you his care.
casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.
8 Exercise self-control, be watchful. Your adversary, the Devil, like a roaring lion, is prowling about, eager to devour you.
Be sober, be vigilant; for your adversary the devil, like a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Stand firm against him, strong in your faith; knowing, as you do, that the very sufferings which you are undergoing are being endured to the full by your Brotherhood throughout the world.
whom resist, stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are endured by your brethren in the world.
10 God, from whom all help comes, and who called you, by your union with Christ, into his eternal glory, will, when you have suffered for a little while, himself perfect, establish, strengthen you. (aiōnios g166)
But may the God of all grace, who hath called us to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a little while, make you perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (aiōnios g166)
To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
12 I have been writing to you briefly by the hand of Silas, our true-hearted Brother (for so I regard him), to urge upon you, and to bear my testimony, that in what I have written is to be found the true love of God. On that take your stand.
Thus I have written briefly by Silvanus, a faithful brother to you (as I judge) exhorting and testifying, that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
13 Your sister-Church in ‘Babylon’ sends you greeting, and so does Mark, who is as a son to me.
The church in Babylon, chosen together with you saluteth you, and so doth Marcus my son.
14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.
Salute one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
