1 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.

¶ The elders who are among you I exhort (I am also an elder with them and a witness of the afflictions of the Christ, and also a participant of the glory that shall be revealed).

2 B e 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.

Feed the flock of God which is among you, caring for her, not by force, but willingly; not for shameful lucre, but with willing desire;

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

and not as having lordship over the heritage of the Lord, but in such a manner as to be examples of the flock.

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

And when the great Prince of the pastors shall appear, ye shall receive the incorruptible crown of glory.

5 I n 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.

¶ Likewise, young people, be subject to the elders in such a manner that you are all subject to one another. Be clothed with humility of will, for God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.

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

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time,

7 G ive all your worries to Him because He cares for you.

casting all your cares upon him, for he cares for you.

8 K eep 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.

¶ Be temperate and vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour,

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

resist him steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are to be accomplished in the company of your brethren that are in the world.

10 A fter 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.

¶ But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Jesus, the Christ, after ye have suffered a little while, he himself perfects, confirms, strengthens, and establishes you.

11 G od has power over all things forever. Let it be so.

To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12 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.

By Silvanus, a faithful brother; (according to my reckoning), I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which ye stand.

13 T he 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.

Those here at Babylon, chosen together with you, salute you and so does Mark, my son.

14 G reet each other with a kiss of holy love. May all of you Christians have peace.

Greet one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Jesus, the Christ. Amen.