Serve God Willingly
1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, asyourfellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according tothe will ofGod; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
5 You younger men, likewise, be subject toyourelders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud,but gives grace to the humble.
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
8 Be of soberspirit,be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 But resist him, firm inyourfaith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthenandestablish you.
11 To Himbedominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regardhim), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!
13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, andso doesmy son, Mark.
14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peace be to you all who are in Christ.
—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/80/32k/1PE/5-3be30f230637dc63736705f72ed71db2.mp3?version_id=100—