How to be a shepherd

1The elders who are among you I exhort, I, the fellow elder and witness of Christ's sufferings; also the partaker of the glory that is to be revealed: ¹⁰¹

2Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers willingly, ¹⁰²not under compulsion; not for dishonest gain but freely;

3neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, ¹⁰³but being examples to the flock.

4And when the Chief Shepherd is revealed you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Humility is a must

5Similarly, you younger ones, submit to elders. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, submitting to one another, because ‘God resists proud ones, but gives grace to humble ones.’ ¹⁰⁴

6Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time;

7casting all your care upon Him, because He does the caring for you. ¹⁰⁵

Guard against the devil

8Be sober, stay alert! Because your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is circling you, ¹⁰⁶looking for someone to devour;

9withstand him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. ¹⁰⁷

10Now may the God of all grace, who called you into His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, Himself perfect, establish, strengthen and ground you—after you have suffered a while. ¹⁰⁸

11To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Sign-off

12I have written to you briefly by our faithful brother Silvanus, ¹⁰⁹as I consider him, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.

13The jointly elect sister in ‘Babylon’ greets you; ¹¹⁰and so does Mark, my son. ¹¹¹

14Greet one another with a kiss of love. ¹¹²Peace be to you, all who are in Christ Jesus. ¹¹³Amen.