Instructions to Elders (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9)
1 WBS The elders who 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 WBS Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight of it , not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but from 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 WBS Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. BSB BSB: not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
4 WBS And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth 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 WBS Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves to the elder. Yes, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth 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 WBS 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 WBS Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. BSB BSB: Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
8 WBS Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh 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 WBS Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren 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 WBS But the God of all grace, who hath called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye 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 WBS To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. BSB BSB: To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
12 WBS 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 in which ye 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 WBS Greet ye 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.