1 Peter 5 gives exhortations both to church leaders and to the flock, calling elders to feed the flock of God willingly, eagerly, and as examples rather than as lords over God’s heritage. The younger are told to submit themselves unto the elder, and all believers are commanded to be clothed with humility, knowing that God resisteth the proud but giveth grace to the humble. Peter encourages them to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, casting all their care upon Him because He careth for them. He then warns them to be sober and vigilant because the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, and urges steadfast resistance in the faith. The chapter closes with encouragement that after believers have suffered awhile, the God of all grace will make them perfect, stablish, strengthen, and settle them, followed by final greetings and a blessing of peace in Christ.
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.