< 1 Peter 5 >
1 As for the older ones among you, who are elders in the church, I, their fellow elder, and a witness to the sufferings of the Christ, who will also share in the glory that is to be revealed –
Therefore I exhort the elders amongst you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Messiah, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed:
2 I beg you to be true shepherds of the flock of God among you, not because you are compelled, but of your own free will; not from a base love of gain, but with a ready spirit;
shepherd the flock of God which is amongst you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily; not for dishonest gain, but willingly;
3 not as lords of your charges, but as examples to your flock.
not as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.
4 Then, when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades.
When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.
5 Again, you younger ones should show deference to the older. And all of you should put on the badge of humility in mutual service, for “God is opposed to the proud, but gives his help to the humble.”
Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility and subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in his good time,
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time,
7 laying all your anxieties on him, for he makes you his care.
casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
8 Exercise self-control, be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, like a roaring lion, is prowling about, eager to devour you.
Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Stand firm against him, strong in your faith; knowing, as you do, that the sufferings which you are undergoing are being endured to the full by the Lord’s followers throughout the world.
Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.
10 God, from whom all help comes, and who called you, by your union with Christ, into his eternal glory, will, when you have suffered for a little while, himself perfect, establish, strengthen you. (aiōnios )
But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Messiah Yeshua, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (aiōnios )
11 To him be ascribed dominion for ever. Amen. (aiōn )
To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (aiōn )
12 I have been writing to you briefly by the hand of Silas, our true-hearted friend (for so I regard him), to encourage you, and to bear my testimony that in what I have written is to be found the true love of God. On that take your stand.
Through 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.
13 Your sister church in “Babylon” sends you greeting, and so does Mark, who is as a son to me.
She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you. So does Mark, my son.
14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. May God give his peace to you all in your union with Christ.
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to all of you who are in Messiah Yeshua. Amen.