1 Peter 5

Peter, “a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,” exhorts the elders to “shepherd the flock of God that is among you,” not under compulsion but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, “not domineering... but being examples to the flock,” so that when “the chief Shepherd appears,” they will receive “the unfading crown of glory.” All are to “clothe yourselves... with humility toward one another,” for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” They are to humble themselves under God’s mighty hand, “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you,” and to be “sober-minded” and “watchful,” resisting “your adversary the devil,” who “prowls around like a roaring lion,” standing firm in the faith and knowing that fellow believers everywhere share the same sufferings. Peter closes with a promise: “the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you,” and with greetings, including from “she who is at Babylon” and from Mark.