1 I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will 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 S hepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly;

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 lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.

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

4 W hen the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade 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, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives 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 worries on him, because he cares for you.

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

8 B e sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, 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 ithstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.

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 may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and 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 the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

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

12 T hrough Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you 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 S he who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you; and so does Mark, 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 one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

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