American Standard Version of 1901
Versliste
He chose David also his servant,And took him from the sheepfolds:
From following the ewes that have their young he brought him,To be the shepherd of Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart,And guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
These twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flocks have I not eaten.
That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night.
Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep fled from mine eyes.
And David said unto Saul, Thy servant was keeping his father's sheep; {Or, and therecome a lion and a bear…and I went out &c.}and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock,
I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth; and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
Thy servant smote both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath {Or, reproached}defied the armies of the living God.
And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and that the flocks and herds with me have their young: and if they overdrive them one day, all the flocks will die.
So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of {Greek: Joanes. See chapter 1:42 margin}John, {Love in these places represents two different Greek words.}lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I {Love in these places represents two different Greek words.}love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of {Greek: Joanes. See chapter 1:42 margin}John, {Love in these places represents two different Greek words.}lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I {Love in these places represents two different Greek words.}love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of {Greek: Joanes. See chapter 1:42 margin}John, {Love in these places represents two different Greek words.}lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, {Love in these places represents two different Greek words.}Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou {Or, perceivest}knowest that I {Love in these places represents two different Greek words.}love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and will gently lead those that have their young.
And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
And I will most gladly spend and be {Greek: spent out.}spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?
{Some connect the words Faithful is the saying with the preceding paragraph.}Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a {Or, overseer}bishop, he desireth a good work.
The {Or, overseer}bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
{Or, not quarrelsome over wine}no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;
one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
(but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the {Greek: judgment.}condemnation of the devil.
Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
that ye also be in subjection unto such, and to every one that helpeth in the work and laboreth.
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
For the scripture saith, {Deuteronomy 25:4.}Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his hire.
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with {Greek: groaning.}grief: for this were unprofitable for you.
But let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.