Serve God Willingly
5 Therefore, I urge elders among you, as your fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and one who is also a [a]fellow partaker of the glory that is to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not [b]with greed but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as domineering over [c]those assigned to your care, but by [d]proving to be [e]examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading [f]crown of glory. 5 You [g]younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 [h]So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your [i]brothers and sisters who are in the world.