1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a *Matt. 26:37witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the *Rom. 8:17, 18glory that will be revealed: 2 *John 21:16; Acts 20:28Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, *1 Cor. 9:17not by compulsion but willingly, *1 Tim. 3:3not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as *Ezek. 34:4; Matt. 20:25being lords over *Ps. 33:12those entrusted to you, but *John 13:15; Phil. 3:17; 1 Thess. 1:7; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7being examples to the flock; 4 and when *Is. 40:11; Zech. 13:7; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive *2 Tim. 4:8the crown of glory that does not fade away.

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, *Rom. 12:10; Eph. 5:21all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

*Prov. 3:34; James 4:6"God resists the proud,

But *Is. 57:15gives grace to the humble."

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, *1 Cor. 1:9; 1 Thess. 2:12who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.11 *Rev. 1:6To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

12 By *2 Cor. 1:19; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying *Acts 20:24that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.

13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and sodoes*Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37, 39; Col. 4:10; Philem. 24Mark my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.

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