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Serve God Willingly

^1 (C1)Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your ^(C2)fellow elder and ^(C3)witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a ^(C4)partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,² shepherd ^(C1)the flock of God among you, exercising oversight ^(C2)not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and ^(C3)not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;³ nor yet as ^(C1)lording it over ^(F1)those allotted to your charge, but ^(F2)proving to be ^(C2)examples to the flock.⁴ And when the Chief ^(C1)Shepherd appears, you will receive the ^(C2)unfading ^(F1)(C3)crown of glory.^5 (C1)You younger men, likewise, ^(C2)be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with ^(C3)humility toward one another, for ^(C4)GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.

⁶ Therefore ^(C1)humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,⁷ casting all your ^(C1)anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.^8 (C1)Be of sober spirit, ^(C2)be on the alert. Your adversary, ^(C3)the devil, prowls around like a roaring ^(C4)lion, seeking someone to devour.^9 (F1)(C1)But resist him, ^(C2)firm in your faith, knowing that ^(C3)the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your ^(F2)brethren who are in the world.¹⁰ After you have suffered ^(C1)for a little while, the ^(C2)God of all grace, who ^(C3)called you to His ^(C4)eternal glory in Christ, will Himself ^(C5)perfect, ^(C6)confirm, strengthen and establish you.^11 (C1)To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

¹² Through ^(C1)Silvanus, our faithful brother ^(F1)(for so I regard him), ^(C2)I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is ^(C3)the true grace of God. ^(C4)Stand firm in it!¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, ^(C1)Mark.

^14 (C1)Greet one another with a kiss of love. ^(C2)Peace be to you all who are in Christ.