ABOUT THE ELDERS

5 I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witnessj to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed:k 2 Shepherd God’s flock among you,l not overseeingE out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you;F not out of greed for money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherdm appears, you will receive the unfading crownn of glory. 5 In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves withG humility toward one another, because

God resists the proud

but gives grace to the humble.H,o

CONCLUSION

6 Humblep yourselves, therefore, under the mighty handq of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.r 8 Be sober-minded,s be alert.t Your adversary the devilu is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him,v firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

10 The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal gloryw in Christ,I will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.J 11 To him be dominionK forever.L Amen.

12 Through Silvanus,* x a faithful brother (as I consider him), I have written to you briefly in order to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! 13 She who is in Babylon,y chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.z Peaceaa to all of you who are in Christ.N