Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles

1The elders who are among you I exhort, who am also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory which shall be revealed:

2Feed as much as in you lieth the flock of God, discharging the office of bishops, not constrainedly, but willingly; not for the sake of filthy lucre, but liberally;

3And not as exercising tyranny over God'sheritages, but that ye may be patterns to the flock:

4And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive an unfading crown of glory.

5In like manner the younger, be ye subject to the elder; yea, be ye all subject to one another: put ye on humility of mind; because God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.

6Be ye then humbled under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;

7All your care being cast on him, for he cares for you.

8Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the Devil, as a roaring lion, goeth around, seeking whom he may devour:

9Whom resist ye, being firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren in the world.

10Now the God of all grace, who hath called us to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus, — may he perfect you, while suffering for a short time, confirm, strengthen, andestablish you:

11To him be the glory and the dominion, for ever and ever. Amen.

12By Sylvanus, a faithful brother to you, as I suppose, I have written in a few words, exhorting youand testifying that this is the true grace of God in which ye stand.

13The church,elected together with you, which is in Babylon, saluteth you, and Marcus my son.

14Salute ye one another with the kiss of love. Grace beto you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.