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

I want to speak to the church leaders among you. I am a church leader also. I saw Christ suffer and die on a cross. I will also share His shining-greatness when He comes again.

2 F eed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Be good shepherds of the flock God has put in your care. Do not care for the flock as if you were made to. Do not care for the flock for money, but do it because you want to.

3 N either as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

Do not be bosses over the people you lead. Live as you would like to have them live.

4 A nd when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

When the Head Shepherd comes again, you will get the crown of shining-greatness that will not come to an end.

5 L ikewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

In the same way, you younger men must obey the church leaders. Be gentle as you care for each other. God works against those who have pride. He gives His loving-favor to those who do not try to honor themselves.

6 H umble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

So put away all pride from yourselves. You are standing under the powerful hand of God. At the right time He will lift you up.

7 C asting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Give all your worries to Him because He cares for you.

8 B e sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Keep awake! Watch at all times. The devil is working against you. He is walking around like a hungry lion with his mouth open. He is looking for someone to eat.

9 W hom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Stand against him and be strong in your faith. Remember, other Christians over all the world are suffering the same as you are.

10 B ut the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

After you have suffered for awhile, God Himself will make you perfect. He will keep you in the right way. He will give you strength. He is the God of all loving-favor and has called you through Christ Jesus to share His shining-greatness forever.

11 T o him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

God has power over all things forever. Let it be so.

12 B y Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

I have known Silvanus as a faithful Christian brother and it is by him I have written this short letter to help you. It tells you of the true loving-favor of God. Stay true in His loving-favor.

13 T he church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

The church which is in the city of Babylon says hello. It has been chosen by God the same as you have been. My son, Mark, says hello also.

14 G reet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Greet each other with a kiss of holy love. May all of you Christians have peace.