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Shepherd the Flock of God

¹ So I exhort the elders among you, ^(a)as a fellow elder and ^(b)a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: ^2 (c)shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,^{[a] (d)}not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;^{[b] (e)}not for shameful gain, but eagerly; ³ not ^(f)domineering over those in your charge, but ^(g)being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when ^(h)the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the ⁽ⁱ⁾unfading ^(j)crown of glory. ⁵ Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. ^(k)Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ^(l)"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

^6 (m)Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ^7 (n)casting all your anxieties on him, because ^(o)he cares for you. ^8 (p)Be sober-minded; ^(q)be watchful. Your ^(r)adversary the devil ^(s)prowls around ^(t)like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ^9 (u)Resist him, ^(v)firm in your faith, knowing that ^(w)the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ¹⁰ And ^(x)after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, ^(y)who has called you to his ^(z)eternal glory in Christ, will himself ^(aa)restore, ^(ab)confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ^11 (ac)To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

¹² By ^(ad)Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, ^(ae)I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is ^(af)the true grace of God. ^(ag)Stand firm in it. ¹³ She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does ^(ah)Mark, my son. ^14 (ai)Greet one another with the kiss of love.

^(aj)Peace to all of you who are in Christ.