Instructions to Elders (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9)
1 AKJV 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: BSB BSB: As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:
2 AKJV 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; BSB BSB: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;
3 AKJV Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. BSB BSB: not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
4 AKJV And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away. BSB BSB: And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Cast Your Cares on Him 5 AKJV Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves to the elder. Yes, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. BSB BSB: Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
6 AKJV Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: BSB BSB: Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.
7 AKJV Casting all your care on him; for he cares for you. BSB BSB: Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
8 AKJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: BSB BSB: Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 AKJV Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brothers that are in the world. BSB BSB: Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
Benediction and Farewell 10 AKJV But the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. BSB BSB: And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.
11 AKJV To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. BSB BSB: To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
12 AKJV By Silvanus, a faithful brother to you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein you stand. BSB BSB: Through Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
14 AKJV Greet you one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen. BSB BSB: Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.