劝勉长老

我是基督受苦的见证人,将分享以后所显明的荣耀。我以长老的身份劝你们中间做长老的: 务要牧养上帝托付给你们的羊群,按着上帝的旨意甘心乐意地照顾他们,不是出于勉强,不是为了谋利,而是出于热诚。 不要辖制托付给你们的羊群,而是要做群羊的榜样。 等到大牧长显现的时候,你们必得到永不衰残的荣耀冠冕。

你们年轻的要顺服年长的,大家都要存谦卑的心彼此服侍。因为上帝阻挡骄傲的人,恩待谦卑的人。 所以你们要在上帝大能的手下谦卑,时候到了,祂必擢升你们。 你们要把一切忧虑卸给上帝,因为祂眷顾你们。

你们务要谨慎,警醒,因为你们的仇敌魔鬼好像咆哮的狮子四处游走,寻找可以吞吃的猎物。 你们要以坚固的信心抵挡它,要知道世界各地的弟兄姊妹在遭受同样的苦难。 10 你们忍受短暂的苦难之后,广施恩典、在基督里呼召你们享受祂永远荣耀的上帝必亲自复兴你们,使你们刚强、笃定、坚立。 11 愿权能归给祂,直到永永远远。阿们!

问候

12 在忠心的弟兄西拉的帮助下,我简单地写了这封信劝勉你们,并证明这是上帝真实的恩典。你们务要在这恩典上站稳。

13 在巴比伦和你们一同蒙拣选的教会问候你们,我的儿子马可也问候你们。 14 你们要以爱心彼此亲吻问候。

愿平安归给你们所有在基督里的人!

The Flock of God

I, who am an elder myself, appeal to the church elders among you. I am a witness of Christ's sufferings, and I will share in the glory that will be revealed. I appeal to you (A)to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you and to take care of it willingly, as God wants you to, and not unwillingly. Do your work, not for mere pay, but from a real desire to serve. Do not try to rule over those who have been put in your care, but be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the glorious crown which will never lose its brightness.

(B)In the same way you younger people must submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, “God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble.” (C)Humble yourselves, then, under God's mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. (D)Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.

Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Be firm in your faith and resist him, because you know that other believers in all the world are going through the same kind of sufferings. 10 But after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who calls you to share his eternal glory in union with Christ, will himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation. 11 To him be the power forever! Amen.

Final Greetings

12 (E)I write you this brief letter with the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful Christian. I want to encourage you and give my testimony that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.

13 (F)Your sister church in Babylon,[a] also chosen by God, sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of Christian love.

May peace be with all of you who belong to Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:13 As in the book of Revelation, this probably refers to Rome.

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

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

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

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

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

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