Instructions to Elders (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9)
1 UDB Now I will say this to those among you who are elders, you who lead the assemblies of believers: I am also an elder. I am also one of those who saw Christ suffer, and I will also share some of the glory that Christ has in heaven. 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 UDB I appeal to you elders to take care of the people who are in your assemblies. Do this as if you were shepherds who take care of their flocks of sheep. Do this, not because you must do it, but instead do it willingly, as God desires. Do not be greedy to get money for doing it, but instead do it enthusiastically. 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 UDB Do not act like domineering bosses over the people whom God has assigned to you, but instead be examples to them by the way in which you conduct your lives. BSB BSB: not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
4 UDB If you do that, when Jesus—who is like our chief shepherd—appears, he will give each of you a splendid reward. That reward will be like the wreaths that are given to athletes who win races, but your reward will never wither like those wreaths do. 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 UDB Now I will say this to you young men. You must obey the older men in the assembly. All of you believers should act humbly toward each other because it is true that God opposes those who are proud, but he acts kindly toward those who are 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 UDB Therefore, realizing that God has great power to punish proud people, humble yourselves so that he may honor you at the time that he has determined. BSB BSB: Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.
7 UDB Because he takes care of you, let him take care of all the things that you are worried about. BSB BSB: Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
8 UDB Always be alert and pay attention because the devil, who is your enemy, is going around looking for people to destroy. He is like a lion that roars as it prowls around, seeking someone to kill and devour. BSB BSB: Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 UDB You must resist him by continuing to firmly trust in Christ and his message, remembering that your fellow believers all over the world are suffering similar hardships. 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 UDB God is the one who kindly helps us in every situation, and he is the one who chose us to share his eternal glory in heaven because we are joined to Christ. And after you have suffered for a while because of things that people do to harm you, he will remove your spiritual defects, he will strengthen you to trust him more, and he will support you in every way. 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 UDB I pray that he will rule powerfully forever. May it be so! BSB BSB: To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
12 UDB Silas has written this letter for me as I have dictated it to him. I consider that he is a faithful fellow believer. I have written this short letter to you to encourage you, and I want to assure you that what I have written is a true message about the things that God kindly does for us, things that we do not deserve. Continue to firmly believe this message. 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 UDB Greet each other with a kiss on the cheek to show that you love each other. I pray that God will give peace to all of you who are joined to Christ. 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.