Instructions to Elders (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9)
1 UEB I am exhorting the elders among you, I, who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and am also one who will share in the glory that will 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 UEB Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God would have you serve—not for shameful profit but eagerly. 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 UEB Do not act as a master over the people who are in your care. Instead, be an example to the flock. BSB BSB: not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
4 UEB Then when the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive an unfading crown of glory. 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 UEB In the same way, you younger men, submit to the older men. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility and serve one another. For God resists the proud, but he 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 UEB Therefore humble yourselves under God's mighty hand so that he may lift you up in due time. BSB BSB: Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.
7 UEB Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. BSB BSB: Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
8 UEB Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, is stalking around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. BSB BSB: Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 UEB Stand against him. Be strong in your faith. You know that your community of believers that is in the world is enduring the same sufferings. 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 UEB After you suffer for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will perfect you, establish you, and strengthen 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 UEB To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. BSB BSB: To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
12 UEB I regard Silvanus as a faithful brother, and I have written to you briefly through him. I am exhorting you and I am testifying to you that what I have written is the true grace of God. Stand in it. 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 UEB Greet one another with a kiss of love. May peace be to you all who are in 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.