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1 Peter 5
EasyEnglish Bible
1 Peter 5
EasyEnglish Bible
Peter writes to leaders and young men
5 Now I want to say something to you who are leaders of the groups of believers. Like you, I am also a leader. I myself saw how people caused Christ to have great pain so that he died. One day people will see how great he really is. Then I will be among those people who join with him in heaven. So I say this to you who are leaders: 2 Watch over the group of believers that God has given to you. Be like a shepherd that takes care of his sheep. Lead them well because you want to do it. Do not do it just because you have to do it. Do it in the way that God wants for you. Do not be a leader because you want to receive money for yourself. Instead, do it because you want to help people.
3 God has given you a group of believers to take care of them. Do not try to rule over them with power. Instead, show them how to live in a good way, so that they can copy you. 4 Then our master, Christ, will give you a beautiful crown when he appears. That is a great gift that will never become old or less beautiful. He is the great Shepherd who takes care of us.[a]
5 I want to say the same thing to you who are young men. You must respect the authority of the leaders. All of you who are believers must respect one another. Do not think that you are more important than other people. The Bible says:
‘God is against proud people.
But he is kind to humble people.’[b]
6 Remember that God is strong and powerful. So be humble in front of him. Then he will lift you up to a good place at the right time. 7 If you have any kind of trouble in your mind, give it to God. God has promised to take care of you.[c]
8 Think seriously about how you live. Watch carefully for danger. Remember that the Devil is your enemy. He wants to hurt you. He walks about like a hungry lion. He is looking for someone to kill and then eat them! 9 But you must be strong to fight against him. Trust God completely. Remember this: Believers all over the world are having the same kind of trouble. 10 Yes, you will have trouble like this for a short time. But after that, God will make everything right. He is completely kind and he will always help you. Because you belong to Christ, God has chosen you to live with him in heaven for ever. You will join him in that beautiful place. Then God will make you well again. He will make you strong in your spirits. You will be able to stand strongly. 11 Yes, God rules with power for ever! Amen! This is true!
Peter finishes his letter
12 Silas has helped me to write this short letter to you. I know that he continues to trust Christ well.[d] I have written to you because I want you to be strong. I have told you how God is kind to us and he helps us. This is God's true message to you. So continue to believe it and be strong.
13 The believers here in Babylon say ‘hello’ to you.[e] God has chosen them as his people, together with you. Mark, who is like my son, also says ‘hello’ to you. 14 When you meet, kiss each other as Christian brothers and sisters.
I pray for all of you who belong to Christ. I pray that God will give you peace in your minds.
Footnotes
- 5:4 A crown is a special hat someone receives when they win a race. It shows that the winner has done well. This crown is a picture of what God will give to each believer. He will cause us to live with him always.
- 5:5 See Proverbs 3:34.
- 5:7 See Psalms 55:22.
- 5:12 Silas was a leader of the Christians who were at Jerusalem, along with Peter. See Acts 15:22.
- 5:13 ‘Babylon’ here probably means Rome, the capital city of Italy. At that time, the king of Rome (Caesar) ruled many countries. His soldiers were causing a lot of trouble for Christians. Many years earlier, people from Babylon had caused a lot of trouble for Israel's people. So the Christians used Babylon as a secret name for Rome.
1 Peter 5
New International Version
1 Peter 5
New International Version
To the Elders and the Flock
5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder(A) and a witness(B) of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:(C) 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock(D) that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;(E) not pursuing dishonest gain,(F) but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over(G) those entrusted to you, but being examples(H) to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd(I) appears, you will receive the crown of glory(J) that will never fade away.(K)
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves(L) to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility(M) toward one another, because,
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.(O) 7 Cast all your anxiety on him(P) because he cares for you.(Q)
8 Be alert and of sober mind.(R) Your enemy the devil prowls around(S) like a roaring lion(T) looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him,(U) standing firm in the faith,(V) because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.(W)
10 And the God of all grace, who called you(X) to his eternal glory(Y) in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,(Z) will himself restore you and make you strong,(AA) firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.(AB)
Final Greetings
12 With the help of Silas,[b](AC) whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly,(AD) encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.(AE)
13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.(AF) 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.(AG)
Peace(AH) to all of you who are in Christ.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 5:5 Prov. 3:34
- 1 Peter 5:12 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas
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