1 Shepherd the Flock The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a Matt. 26:37 witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the Rom. 8:17, 18 glory that will be revealed:
2 John 21:16; Acts 20:28 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, 1 Cor. 9:17 not by compulsion but willingly, 1 Tim. 3:3 not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
3 nor as Ezek. 34:4; Matt. 20:25 being lords over Ps. 33:12 those entrusted to you, but John 13:15; Phil. 3:17;1 Thess. 1:7;2 Thess. 3:9;1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7 being examples to the flock;
4 and when Is. 40:11; Zech. 13:7; Heb. 13:20;1 Pet. 2:25 the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive 2 Tim. 4:8 the crown of glory that does not fade away.
5 Submit to God, Resist the Devil Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, Rom. 12:10; Eph. 5:21 all 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. 57:15 gives 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. 2:12 who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
11 Rev. 1:6 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 Farewell and Peace By 2 Cor. 1:19;1 Thess. 1:1;2 Thess. 1:1 Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying Acts 20:24 that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.
13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37, 39; Col. 4:10; Philem. 24 Mark my son.
14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.