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Serve God Willingly

^1 (C1)Therefore, I strongly urge the elders among you pastors, spiritual leaders of the church, as a ^(C2)fellow elder and as an ^(C3)eyewitness called to testify of the sufferings of Christ, as well as ^(C4)one who shares in the glory that is to be revealed:² shepherd and guide and protect ^(C1)the flock of God among you, exercising oversight ^(C2)not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and ^(C3)not motivated for shameful gain, but with wholehearted enthusiasm;³ not ^(C1)lording it over those assigned to your care do not be arrogant or overbearing, but be ^(C2)examples of Christian living to the flock set a pattern of integrity for your congregation.⁴ And when the Chief ^(C1)Shepherd (Christ) appears, you will receive the conqueror's ^(C2)unfading ^(C3)crown of glory.⁵ Likewise, ^(C1)you younger men of lesser rank and experience, ^(C2)be subject to your elders seek their counsel; and all of you, clothe yourselves with ^(C3)humility toward one another tie on the servant's apron, for ^(C4)GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them, BUT HE GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. ^(VR1)

⁶ Therefore ^(C1)humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God set aside self-righteous pride, so that He may exalt you to a place of honor in His service at the appropriate time, ^(VR1)7 casting all your ^(C1)cares all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all on Him, for He cares about you with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully. ^(VR1)8 (C1)Be sober well balanced and self-disciplined, ^(C2)be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, ^(C3)the devil, prowls around like a roaring ^(C4)lion fiercely hungry, seeking someone to devour.^9 (C1)But resist him, ^(C2)be firm in your faith against his attack—rooted, established, immovable, knowing that ^(C3)the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. You do not suffer alone.¹⁰ After you have suffered ^(C1)for a little while, the ^(C2)God of all grace who imparts His blessing and favor, who ^(C3)called you to His own ^(C4)eternal glory in Christ, will Himself ^(C5)complete, ^(C6)confirm, strengthen, and establish you making you what you ought to be.^11 (C1)To Him be dominion (power, authority, sovereignty) forever and ever. Amen.

¹² By ^(F1)(C1)Silvanus, our faithful brother (as I consider him), ^(C2)I have written to you briefly, to counsel and testify that this is ^(C3)the true grace the undeserved favor of God. ^(C4)Stand firm in it!¹³ She the church who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son in the faith, ^(C1)Mark.

^14 (C1)Greet one another with a kiss of love. ^(C2)To all of you who are in Christ, may there be peace.