^32 (A)Do not fear, ^(B)little flock, for ^(C)your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom.

Peter’s Restoration and Commission

¹⁵ So when they had ^(A)finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you ^[a](B)love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I ^[b]love You.” He *said to him, “Tend ^(C)My lambs.” ¹⁶ He *said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you ^[c]love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I ^[d]love You.” He *said to him, “^(D)Shepherd My sheep.” ¹⁷ He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you ^[e]love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him ^(E)the third time, “Do you ^[f]love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, ^(F)You know all things; You know that I ^[g]love You.” Jesus *said to him, “^(G)Tend My sheep.

²⁸ Be on guard for yourselves and for all ^(A)the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you ^[a]overseers, to shepherd ^(B)the church of God which ^(C)He ^[b]purchased ^[c]with His own blood.

² shepherd ^(A)the flock of God among you, overseeing ^(B)not under compulsion, but willingly, according to God; and ^(C)not for dishonest gain, but with eagerness; ³ nor yet as ^(D)lording it over ^[a]those allotted to you, but being ^(E)examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief ^(F)Shepherd appears, you will receive the ^(G)unfading ^[b](H)crown of glory. ^5 (I)You younger men, likewise, ^(J)be subject to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with ^(K)humility toward one another, for ^(L)God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

⁶ Therefore ^(M)humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, ^7 (N)casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. ^8 (O)Be of sober spirit, ^(P)be watchful. Your adversary, ^(Q)the devil, prowls around like a roaring ^(R)lion, seeking someone to devour. ^9 [c](S)But resist him, ^(T)firm in the faith, knowing that ^(U)the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished among your ^[d]brethren who are in the world. ¹⁰ And after you have suffered ^(V)for a little while, the ^(W)God of all grace, who ^(X)called you to His ^(Y)eternal glory in Christ, will Himself ^(Z)restore, ^(AA)strengthen, confirm, and ground you. ^11 (AB)To Him be might forever and ever. Amen.

¹² Through ^(AC)Silvanus, our faithful brother as I regard him, ^(AD)I have written to you briefly, exhorting and bearing witness that this is ^(AE)the true grace of God. ^(AF)Stand firm in it! ¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, ^(AG)Mark. ^14 (AH)Greet one another with a kiss of love.

^(AI)Peace be to you all who are in Christ.