Leading God’s People

¹I exhort the elders who are among you, as one who is also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:[#Lk 24:48; Ac 11:30]

²Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, take care of them, not by constraint, but willingly, not for dishonest gain, but eagerly.[#Jn 21:16]

³Do not lord over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock.[#Eze 34:4; #Php 3:17]

⁴And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of glory that will not fade away.[#1Co 9:25; Jas 1:12; 1Pe 1:4]

⁵Likewise you younger ones, submit yourselves to the elders. Yes, all of you be submissive one to another and clothe yourselves with humility, because[#Eph 5:21]

“God resists the proud,

but gives grace to the humble.”

⁶Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.[#Mt 23:12; Jas 4:10]

⁷Cast all your care upon Him, because He cares for you.[#Ps 37:5; 55:22]

⁸Be sober and watchful, because your adversary the devil walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.[#Job 2:2; #Eph 6:11]

⁹Resist him firmly in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.[#Jas 4:7; #Ac 14:22]

¹⁰But after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called us to His eternal glory through Christ Jesus, will restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.[#1Co 1:9; #2Co 4:17; #2Th 2:17]

¹¹To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.[#1Pe 4:11]

Final Greetings

¹²With the help of Silas, whom I consider to be a faithful brother to you, I have written briefly, exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.[#2Co 1:19; #Ac 20:24; Heb 13:22]

¹³The church that is at Babylon, elect together with you, greets you, and so does Mark, my son.[#Ac 12:12, 25]

¹⁴Greet one another with a kiss of love.[#Ro 16:16; Eph 6:23]

Peace be with all you who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.