Instructions to Elders (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9)
1 UST Now I{, Peter,} urge those among you who are elders{ who lead the assemblies of believers};{ I am also} an elder. I personally witnessed the Messiah suffer, and I will share in his glorious nature that God will soon reveal. 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 UST { You elders,} take care of the believers with you as if you were shepherds who take care of their flocks of sheep.{ Take care of them} not because you must do it, but because you really want to, as God desires. Do not{ do this} in a greedy manner{ to get money for doing it}, but 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 UST Do not act like domineering bosses over the people whom God has assigned to you. Instead, be{ good} examples to those believers{ by how you conduct your lives}. BSB BSB: not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
4 UST { If you do those things,} then when Jesus, who is like our ruling shepherd, appears, he will give each of you{ leaders} a reward.{ That reward will be} glorious{ and will} last forever. 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 UST In a similar way, you young men, obey the elders{ who lead the assemblies of believers}. Now all of you{ believers} should act humbly toward each other because{ what Solomon wrote in the Scriptures is true:}“God opposes proud people, but he acts kindly toward humble people.” 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 UST Since that is true, humble yourselves before God, who has the power{ to save and to punish people,} in order that he may honor you at the proper time. BSB BSB: Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.
7 UST Trust God to take care of everything that worries you because he cares about you. BSB BSB: Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
8 UST Think clearly and alertly,{ because} the devil is your enemy, and he is going around, looking for people to destroy. He is like a lion that roars as it searches for people to kill and eat. BSB BSB: Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 UST Resist the devil by continuing to firmly trust{ in the Messiah and his message}.{ Do this} because you know that your fellow believers all over the world are suffering in similar ways. 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 UST But after you have suffered for a brief time, the God who acts kindly{ toward you} in every way will himself restore{ what you have lost} and will completely strengthen you in every way. God is the one who chose you to experience his glorious presence in heaven forever as you are joined to the Messiah. 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 UST I pray that he will rule powerfully forever. May it be so! BSB BSB: To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
12 UST Silas has written this letter for me{ as I have dictated it to him}. I consider him to be a faithful fellow believer. I have written this short letter to you in order to encourage you and to declare to you that what I have written is about the true and gracious message from God. 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 UST Affectionately greet each other with a kiss to show that you love each other. I pray that God will continue to make all you who are joined to the Messiah feel peaceful. 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.