1 Peter 5
1 So I exhort the Elders among you--I who am their fellow Elder and have been an eye-witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and am also a sharer in the glory which is soon to be revealed.
[Now I will say this to those among] you who are elders in the congregations: I also am an elder. I am one [of those] who saw Christ when he suffered, and I am also one who will share some of the glory/greatness that Christ has in heaven.
2 Be shepherds of God's flock which is among you. Exercise the oversight not reluctantly but eagerly, in accordance with the will of God; not for base gain but with cheerful minds;
[I appeal to you elders] to take care of the people who are in your [congregations] [MET] as shepherds [take care of their] flocks of sheep. Do this, not because you must do it, but instead do it willingly, as God desires. Do not be greedy to get a lot [of money for doing it], but instead do it enthusiastically/wholeheartedly.
3 not lording it over your Churches but proving yourselves patterns for the flock to imitate.
Do not act like domineering [bosses over] the people [MET] whom God has assigned/entrusted to you, but instead be examples to them by the way in which you conduct your lives.
4 And then, when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the never-withering wreath of glory.
[If you do that], when Jesus, who is [like] our chief shepherd [MET], appears, he will give each of you a [glorious/wonderful reward] [MET]. [That reward will be like] the wreaths [that are given to victorious athletes], but your reward will never wither [like wreaths do].
5 In the same way you younger men must submit to your elders; and all of you must gird yourselves with humility towards one another, for God sets Himself against the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
[Now I will say this to] you young men [and women]: [Just like married men and women are] ([to be subject/to submit themselves]) [to their spouses], you must (be subject/submit yourselves) (to the older men/to the leaders) [of the congregation]. And all of you [believers] should act [MET] humbly toward each other, because this proverb is true: God opposes people who are proud, but he acts kindly toward those who are humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore beneath the mighty hand of God, so that at the right time He may set you on high.
Therefore, realizing that God has great power [MTY] [to punish proud people], humble yourselves, in order that he may honor you at the time that [he has determined].
7 Throw the whole of your anxiety upon Him, because He Himself cares for you.
Because he takes care of you, let him take care of all the things that you are worried/concerned about.
8 Curb every passion, and be on the alert. Your great accuser, the Devil, is going about like a roaring lion to see whom he can devour.
Always be fully alert, because the devil, who is your enemy, is going/sneaking around, looking for people [to destroy]. [He is] like [SIM] a lion who roars as it prowls around, seeking someone to [kill and] devour.
9 Withstand him, firm in your faith; knowing that your brethren in other parts of the world are passing through just the same experiences.
You must resist him by continuing to firmly trust in [Christ and his message], remembering that your fellow believers all over the world are experiencing similar sufferings [that the devil is bringing to them].
10 And God, the giver of all grace, who has called you to share His eternal glory, through Christ, after you have suffered for a short time, will Himself make you perfect, firm, and strong. (aiōnios g166)
God is the one who kindly helps us in every [situation], and [he is the one] who chose us to share his eternal glory/greatness [in heaven] because of our relationship with Christ. [And] after you have suffered for a while [because of things that people do to harm you], he will remove your spiritual defects/imperfections, he will strengthen you [spiritually] [DOU], and he will support you [emotionally]. (aiōnios g166)
[I pray/desire that] he will [rule] powerfully forever. (May it be so!/Amen!) (aiōn g165)
12 I send this short letter by Silas, our faithful brother--for such I regard him--in order to encourage you, and to bear witness that what I have told you is the true grace of God. In it stand fast.
Silas has written this letter [for me as I have] ([dictated it to him/told him what to write]). I consider/know that he is a faithful fellow believer. I have written this short letter to you to encourage you, and I want to assure you that [what I have written] is a true message about the things that God kindly does for [us, things that we do not deserve]. Continue to firmly believe this message.
13 The Church in Babylon, chosen like yourselves by God, sends greetings, and so does Mark my son.
In [this city that is sometimes referred to as] ‘Babylon’ [MET], the believers [SYN], whom [God] has chosen [to belong to him] just like he chose you, (send you [(pl)] their greetings/say that they are thinking affectionately about you). Mark, who is [MET] [like] a son to me, also ([sends you his greetings/says that he is thinking affectionately about you]).
14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be with all of you who are in Christ.
Greet each other with a kiss [on the cheek] to [show that] you love [each other]. [I pray that God will give inner] peace to all of you who have a relationship with Christ.
