Instructions to Elders
(1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9)

1I exhort† the elders among you⁺ as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and a partaker of the glory being about to be revealed: 2Shepherd the flock of God among you⁺, exercising oversight,† not under compulsion but willingly according to God;† and not for shameful gain but eagerly, 3not as exercising lordship over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4And on the Chief Shepherd having been made manifest, you⁺ will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Cast Your Cares on Him

5Likewise, younger ones, be subject to your elders. And all, gird on humility to one another,† because,

“God opposes the proud,

but gives grace to the humble.Ӡ

6Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you⁺ in due time, 7having cast all your⁺ anxiety on Him, because with Him there is care about you⁺.

8Be sober-minded; be alert.† Your⁺ adversary the devil prowls around as a roaring lion seeking whom to swallow up, 9whom you⁺ should resist, firm in the faith, knowing the same sufferings in your⁺ brotherhood to be experienced in the world.

Benediction and Farewell

10And the God of all grace, the One having called you⁺ to His eternal glory in Christ,† having suffered a little while, He Himself will complete, will confirm, will strengthen, and will establish you. 11To Him be† the power to the ages of the ages.† Amen.

12Through Silvanus,† the faithful brother as I reckon him, I wrote to you⁺ through few words, exhorting and testifying this to be the true grace of God, in which you⁺ stand.

13She in Babylon† chosen with you greets you⁺, and my son Mark.

14Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to you⁺ all who are in Christ.†

Footnotes:

1 NA27, SBL, TH, NE, and WH include therefore
2 NE and WH do not include exercising oversight.
2 WH, BYZ and TR do not include according to God
5 BYZ and TR with humility, being subject to one another
5 Proverbs 3:34 (see also LXX)
8 F35 and TR include because
10 BYZ and TR in Christ Jesus
11 BYZ and TR include the glory and.
11 NA and WH do not include of the ages.
12 That is, Silas
13 Or The church in Babylon
14 BYZ and TR in Christ Jesus. Amen.