1I’m speaking to the elders among you. I was a witness of Christ’s sufferings. And I will also share in the glory that is going to come. I’m making my appeal to you as one who is an elder together with you.2Be shepherds of God’s flock, the believers under your care. Watch over them, though not because you have to. Instead, do it because you want to. That’s what God wants you to do. Don’t do it because you want to get money in dishonest ways. Do it because you really want to serve.3Don’t act as if you were a ruler over those under your care. Instead, be examples to the flock.4The Chief Shepherd will come again. Then you will receive the crown of glory. It is a crown that will never fade away.5In the same way, I’m speaking to you who are younger. Follow the lead of those who are older. All of you, put on a spirit free of pride towards one another. Put it on as if it were your clothes. Do this because Scripture says, ‘God opposes those who are proud. But he gives grace to those who are humble.’ (Pr 3:34)6So make yourselves humble. Put yourselves under God’s mighty hand. Then he will honour you at the right time.7Turn all your worries over to him. He cares about you.8Be watchful and control yourselves. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to swallow up.9Stand up to him. Remain strong in what you believe. You know that you are not alone in your suffering. The family of believers throughout the world is going through the same thing.10God always gives you all the grace you need. So you will only have to suffer for a little while. Then God himself will build you up again. He will make you strong and steady. And he has chosen you to share in his eternal glory because you belong to Christ.11Give him the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Final greetings
12I consider Silas to be a faithful brother. With his help I have written you this short letter. I have written it to encourage you. And I have written to speak the truth about the true grace of God. Remain strong in it.13The members of the church in Babylon send you their greetings. They were chosen together with you. Mark, my son in the faith, also sends you his greetings.14Greet each other with a kiss of friendship. May God give peace to all of you who believe in Christ.
1 Peter 5
English Standard Version
Shepherd the Flock of God
1So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: (Lu 24:48; 2Jo 1:1; 3Jo 1:1)2shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,[1] not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;[2] not for shameful gain, but eagerly; (Joh 21:16; 1Ti 3:8; Tit 1:7; Phm 1:14; Jud 1:12)3not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. (Eze 34:4; Mt 20:25; Mr 10:42; 2Co 1:24; Php 3:17; 2Th 3:9; 1Ti 4:12; Tit 2:7)4And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (1Co 9:25; Heb 13:20; Jas 1:12; 1Pe 1:4)5Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (Mt 20:26; Joh 13:4; Joh 13:14; Jas 4:6; Jas 4:10)6Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, (1Pe 5:5)7casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (Ps 37:5; Ps 40:17; Ps 55:22; Mt 6:25)8Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (Job 1:7; Job 1:9; Job 2:2; Ps 22:21; Mt 24:42; Lu 22:31; 2Co 2:11; Eph 4:27; Eph 6:11; 1Pe 1:13; Re 12:9; Re 12:12)9Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. (Ac 14:22; Col 2:5; 1Th 3:3; 2Ti 3:12; Jas 4:7)10And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (Lu 22:32; Ro 16:25; 1Co 1:9; 1Th 2:12; 1Ti 6:12; 2Ti 2:10; Heb 13:21; 1Pe 1:6)11To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1Pe 4:11)
Final Greetings
12By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. (Ac 11:23; Ac 15:22; 1Co 15:1; 2Co 1:19; 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:1; Heb 13:22)13She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. (Ac 12:12)14Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. (Ro 16:16; Eph 6:23)