Exhortation to Elders

5 [fn]I exhort the elders among you, I who am a fellow elder, a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker in the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, [fn]exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but [fn]willingly; not for sordid gain, but eagerly. 3 Do not lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

5 In the same way, you who are younger must submit to your elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility [fn]as you submit to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.

8 Be sober-minded and [fn]watchful; your adversary the devil [fn]walks around like a roaring lion, seeking [fn]whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, [fn]may the God of all grace, who called [fn]you to his eternal glory in Christ [fn]Jesus, himself perfect you; he will establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To him be [fn]the glory and the power forever [fn]and ever. Amen.