Exhortation to Elders

1⁴⁸I exhort the elders among you, I who am a fellow elder, a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:

2Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, ⁴⁹exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but ⁵⁰willingly; not for sordid gain, but eagerly.

3Do not lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock.

4And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

5In the same way, you who are younger must submit to your elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility ⁵¹as you submit to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time,

7casting all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.

8Be sober-minded and ⁵²watchful; your adversary the devil ⁵³walks around like a roaring lion, seeking ⁵⁴someone to devour.

9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering.

10And after you have suffered for a little while, ⁵⁵may the God of all grace, who called ⁵⁶you to his eternal glory in Christ ⁵⁷Jesus, himself perfect you; he will establish, strengthen, and settle you.

11To him be ⁵⁸the glory and the power forever ⁵⁹and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

12Through Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.

13She who is in Babylon, who is chosen together with you, greets you, and so does my son Mark.

14Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be with all of you who are in Christ ⁶⁰Jesus. ⁶¹Amen.