1I’m speaking to the elders among you. I was a witness of Christ’s sufferings. And I will also share in the glory that is going to come. I’m making my appeal to you as one who is an elder together with you.2Be shepherds of God’s flock, the believers under your care. Watch over them, though not because you have to. Instead, do it because you want to. That’s what God wants you to do. Don’t do it because you want to get money in dishonest ways. Do it because you really want to serve.3Don’t act as if you were a ruler over those under your care. Instead, be examples to the flock.4The Chief Shepherd will come again. Then you will receive the crown of glory. It is a crown that will never fade away.5In the same way, I’m speaking to you who are younger. Follow the lead of those who are older. All of you, put on a spirit free of pride towards one another. Put it on as if it were your clothes. Do this because Scripture says, ‘God opposes those who are proud. But he gives grace to those who are humble.’ (Pr 3:34)6So make yourselves humble. Put yourselves under God’s mighty hand. Then he will honour you at the right time.7Turn all your worries over to him. He cares about you.8Be watchful and control yourselves. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to swallow up.9Stand up to him. Remain strong in what you believe. You know that you are not alone in your suffering. The family of believers throughout the world is going through the same thing.10God always gives you all the grace you need. So you will only have to suffer for a little while. Then God himself will build you up again. He will make you strong and steady. And he has chosen you to share in his eternal glory because you belong to Christ.11Give him the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Final greetings
12I consider Silas to be a faithful brother. With his help I have written you this short letter. I have written it to encourage you. And I have written to speak the truth about the true grace of God. Remain strong in it.13The members of the church in Babylon send you their greetings. They were chosen together with you. Mark, my son in the faith, also sends you his greetings.14Greet each other with a kiss of friendship. May God give peace to all of you who believe in Christ.
1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:2be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.5In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.’ (Pr 3:34)6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.8Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Final greetings
12With the help of Silas,[1] whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.13She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.14Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.