Chapter 5

Serve God Willingly

1 aTherefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your bfellow elder and cwitness of the sufferings of Christ, and a dpartaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,

2 shepherd athe flock of God among you, exercising oversight bnot under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and cnot for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

3 nor yet as alording it over 1those allotted to your charge, but 2proving to be bexamples to the flock.

4 And when the Chief aShepherd appears, you will receive the bunfading 1ccrown of glory.

5 aYou younger men, likewise, bbe subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with chumility toward one another, for dGod is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

6 Therefore ahumble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,

7 casting all your aanxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

8 aBe of sober spirit, bbe on the alert. Your adversary, cthe devil, prowls around like a roaring dlion, seeking someone to devour.

9 1aBut resist him, bfirm in your faith, knowing that cthe same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your 2brethren who are in the world.

10 After you have suffered afor a little while, the bGod of all grace, who ccalled you to His deternal glory in Christ, will Himself eperfect, fconfirm, strengthen and establish you.

11 aTo Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

12 Through aSilvanus, our faithful brother 1(for so I regard him), bI have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is cthe true grace of God. dStand firm in it!

13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, aMark.

14 aGreet one another with a kiss of love.

bPeace be to you all who are in Christ.