勸勉長老

我是基督受苦的見證人,將分享以後所顯明的榮耀。我以長老的身分勸你們中間作長老的: 務要牧養上帝託付給你們的羊群,按著上帝的旨意甘心樂意地照顧他們,不是出於勉強,不是為了謀利,而是出於熱誠。 不要辖制託付給你們的羊群,而是要做群羊的榜樣。 等到大牧長顯現的時候,你們必得到永不衰殘的榮耀冠冕。

你們年輕的要順服年長的,大家都要存謙卑的心彼此服侍。因為上帝阻擋驕傲的人,恩待謙卑的人。 所以你們要在上帝大能的手下謙卑,時候到了,祂必擢升你們。 你們要把一切憂慮卸給上帝,因為祂眷顧你們。

你們務要謹慎,警醒,因為你們的仇敵魔鬼好像咆哮的獅子四處遊走,尋找可以吞吃的獵物。 你們要以堅固的信心抵擋牠,要知道世界各地的弟兄姊妹在遭受同樣的苦難。 10 你們忍受短暫的苦難之後,廣施恩典、在基督裡呼召你們享受祂永遠榮耀的上帝必親自復興你們,使你們剛強、篤定、堅立。 11 願權能歸給祂,直到永永遠遠。阿們!

問候

12 在忠心的弟兄西拉的幫助下,我簡單地寫了這封信勸勉你們,並證明這是上帝真實的恩典。你們務要在這恩典上站穩。

13 在巴比倫和你們一同蒙揀選的教會問候你們,我的兒子馬可也問候你們。 14 你們要以愛心彼此親吻問候。

願平安歸給你們所有在基督裡的人!

¶ The elders who are among you I exhort (I am also an elder with them and a witness of the afflictions of the Christ, and also a participant of the glory that shall be revealed).

Feed the flock of God which is among you, caring for her, not by force, but willingly; not for shameful lucre, but with willing desire;

and not as having lordship over the heritage of the Lord, but in such a manner as to be examples of the flock.

And when the great Prince of the pastors shall appear, ye shall receive the incorruptible crown of glory.

¶ Likewise, young people, be subject to the elders in such a manner that you are all subject to one another. Be clothed with humility of will, for God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.

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

casting all your cares upon him, for he cares for you.

¶ Be temperate and vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour,

resist him steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are to be accomplished in the company of your brethren that are in the world.

10 ¶ But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Jesus, the Christ, after ye have suffered a little while, he himself perfects, confirms, strengthens, and establishes you.

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

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother; (according to my reckoning), I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which ye stand.

13 Those here at Babylon, chosen together with you, salute you and so does Mark, my son.

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