1 Peter 5

1The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

2Feed 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;

3Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

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

7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

13The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

14Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Instructions to Elders

1As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the eldersfootnote a among you: 2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over themfootnote b not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;footnote c not out of greed, but out of eagerness; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Cast Your Cares on Him

5Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,“God opposes the proud,but gives grace to the humble.”footnote d

6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. 7Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

8Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.

Benediction and Farewell

10And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ,footnote e will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you. 11To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

12Through Silvanus,footnote f 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. Stand firm in it.

13The church in Babylon,footnote g chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does my son Mark.

14Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.footnote h