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The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Tend the flock of God which is among you, [a]exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, [b]according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away. [c]Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom withstand stedfast in [d]your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are [e]accomplished in your [f]brethren who are in the world. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself [g]perfect, establish, strengthen [h]you. 11 To him be the dominion [i]for ever and ever. Amen.

12 By Silvanus, [j]our faithful brother, as I account him, I have written unto you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God: stand ye fast therein. 13 [k]She that is in Babylon, elect together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Mark my son. 14 Salute one another with a kiss of love.

Peace be unto you all that are in Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:2 Some ancient authorities omit exercising the oversight.
  2. 1 Peter 5:2 Some ancient authorities omit according to the will of God.
  3. 1 Peter 5:5 Or, Likewise . . . elder; yea, all of you one to another. Gird yourselves with humility
  4. 1 Peter 5:9 Or, the
  5. 1 Peter 5:9 Greek being accomplished.
  6. 1 Peter 5:9 Greek brotherhood.
  7. 1 Peter 5:10 Or, restore
  8. 1 Peter 5:10 Many ancient authorities add settle.
  9. 1 Peter 5:11 Greek unto the ages of the ages.
  10. 1 Peter 5:12 Greek the.
  11. 1 Peter 5:13 That is, The church, or, The sister

Chapter 5

Advice to Presbyters.[a] So I exhort the presbyters[b] among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed. Tend the flock of God in your midst, [overseeing] not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly.(A) Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. (B)And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.[c]

Advice to the Community.[d] Likewise, you younger members,[e] be subject to the presbyters. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for:

“God opposes the proud
    but bestows favor on the humble.”(C)

So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.(D) Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.(E)

Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour.(F) Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. 10 The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ [Jesus] will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little.(G) 11 To him be dominion forever. Amen.

V. Conclusion

12 I write you this briefly through Silvanus,[f] whom I consider a faithful brother, exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Remain firm in it. 13 The chosen one[g] at Babylon sends you greeting, as does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.(H)

Footnotes

  1. 5:1–4 In imitation of Christ, the chief shepherd, those entrusted with a pastoral office are to tend the flock by their care and example.
  2. 5:1 Presbyters: the officially appointed leaders and teachers of the Christian community (cf. 1 Tm 5:17–18; Ti 1:5–8; Jas 5:14).
  3. 5:4 See note on 1 Pt 2:25.
  4. 5:5–11 The community is to be subject to the presbyters and to show humility toward one another and trust in God’s love and care (1 Pt 5:5–7). With sobriety, alertness, and steadfast faith they must resist the evil one; their sufferings are shared with Christians everywhere (1 Pt 5:8–9). They will be strengthened and called to eternal glory (1 Pt 5:10–11).
  5. 5:5 Younger members: this may be a designation for office-holders of lesser rank.
  6. 5:12 Silvanus: the companion of Paul (see 2 Cor 1:19; 1 Thes 1:1; 2 Thes 1:1). Jews and Jewish Christians, like Paul, often had a Hebrew name (Saoul, Silas) and a Greek or Latin name (Paul, Silvanus). On Silvanus’s possible role as amanuensis, see Introduction.
  7. 5:13 The chosen one: feminine, referring to the Christian community (ekklēsia) at Babylon, the code name for Rome in Rev 14:8; 17:5; 18:2. Mark, my son: traditionally a prominent disciple of Peter and co-worker at the church in Rome, perhaps the John Mark referred to in Acts 12:12, 25; 13:5, 13; and in Acts 15:37–39, a companion of Barnabas. Perhaps this is the same Mark mentioned as Barnabas’s cousin in Col 4:10, a co-worker with Paul in Phlm 24 (see also 2 Tm 4:11).

Shepherd the Flock

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a (A)witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the (B)glory that will be revealed: (C)Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, (D)not by compulsion but [a]willingly, (E)not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as (F)being [b]lords over (G)those entrusted to you, but (H)being examples to the flock; and when (I)the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive (J)the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Submit to God, Resist the Devil

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, (K)all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

(L)“God resists the proud,
But (M)gives grace to the humble.”

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Be [c]sober, be [d]vigilant; [e]because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But [f]may the God of all grace, (N)who called [g]us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, [h]perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 (O)To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Farewell and Peace

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

13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does (R)Mark my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:2 NU adds according to God
  2. 1 Peter 5:3 masters
  3. 1 Peter 5:8 self-controlled
  4. 1 Peter 5:8 watchful
  5. 1 Peter 5:8 NU, M omit because
  6. 1 Peter 5:10 NU the God of all grace,
  7. 1 Peter 5:10 NU, M you
  8. 1 Peter 5:10 NU will perfect