1 Peter 5

Leading and Living in God’s Flock

5:1 So as your fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings and as one who shares in the glory that will be revealed, I urge the elders among you: 5:2 Give a shepherd’s care to¹ God’s flock among you, exercising oversight² not merely as a duty³ but willingly under God’s direction,⁴ not for shameful profit but eagerly. 5:3 And do not lord it over⁵ those entrusted to you,⁶ but be examples to the flock. 5:4 Then⁷ when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that never fades away.

5:5 In the same way, you who are younger,⁸ be subject to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.⁹ 5:6 And God will exalt you in due time,¹⁰ if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand¹¹ 5:7 by casting¹² all your cares¹³ on him because he cares for you. 5:8 Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion,¹⁴ is on the prowl looking for someone¹⁵ to devour. 5:9 Resist him,¹⁶ strong in your faith, because you know¹⁷ that your brothers and sisters¹⁸ throughout the world¹⁹ are enduring²⁰ the same kinds of suffering.²¹ 5:10 And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ²² will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.²³ 5:11 To him belongs²⁴ the power forever. Amen.

Final Greetings

5:12 Through Silvanus,²⁵ whom I know to be a faithful brother,²⁶ I have written to you briefly, in order to encourage you and testify²⁷ that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.²⁸ 5:13 The church²⁹ in Babylon,³⁰ chosen together with you,³¹ greets you, and so does Mark, my son. 5:14 Greet one another with a loving kiss.³² Peace to all of you who are in Christ.³³