^5:2Give a shepherd’s care to¹ God’s flock among you, exercising oversight² not merely as a duty³ but willingly under God’s direction,⁴ not for shameful profit but eagerly. ^5:3And do not lord it over⁵ those entrusted to you,⁶ but be examples to the flock.

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Footnotes

1 Grk “shepherd,” “tend,” “pastor.”
2 A few important (א* B sa) lack ἐπισκοποῦντες (episkopountes, “exercising oversight”), but the participle enjoys otherwise good support (𝔓72 א2 A P Ψ 33 1739 𝔐 lat). A decision is difficult because normally the shorter reading is preferred, especially when found in excellent witnesses. However, in this instance the omission may be due to a hesitation among some scribes to associate oversight with elders, since the later church viewed overseer/bishop as a separate office from elder.
3 Or “not under compulsion/coercion.”
4 Grk “according to God.”
5 Grk “not as lording it over … but being examples.” The participles continue the command of v. 2 by describing how the shepherding should be carried out.
6 Grk “the ones allotted,” referring to those God has given over to their care.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

NLTNew Living Translation

Care 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. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not by compulsion but willingly, in accordance with God, and not greedily but eagerly, and not as lording it over those under your care, but being examples for the flock.

KJV 1900King James Version

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

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