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1 Peter 5
Contemporary English Version
1 Peter 5
Contemporary English Version
Helping Christian Leaders
5 Church leaders, I am writing to encourage you. I too am a leader, as well as a witness to Christ's suffering, and I will share in his glory when it is shown to us.
2 (A) Just as shepherds watch over their sheep, you must watch over everyone God has placed in your care. Do it willingly in order to please God, and not simply because you think you must. Let it be something you want to do, instead of something you do merely to make money. 3 Don't be bossy to those people who are in your care, but set an example for them. 4 Then when Christ the Chief Shepherd returns, you will be given a crown that will never lose its glory.
5 (B) All of you young people should obey your elders. In fact, everyone should be humble toward everyone else. The Scriptures say,
“God opposes proud people,
but he helps everyone
who is humble.”
6 (C) Be humble in the presence of God's mighty power, and he will honor you when the time comes. 7 (D) God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.
8 Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack. 9 But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith. You know that all over the world the Lord's followers are suffering just as you are. 10 But God shows undeserved kindness to everyone. That's why he appointed Christ Jesus to choose you to share in his eternal glory. You will suffer for a while, but God will make you complete, steady, strong, and firm. 11 God will be in control forever! Amen.
Final Greetings
12 (E) Silvanus helped me write this short letter, and I consider him a faithful follower of the Lord. I wanted to encourage you and tell you how kind God really is, so you will keep on having faith in him.
13 (F) Greetings from the Lord's followers in Babylon.[a] They are God's chosen ones.
Mark, who is like a son to me, sends his greetings too.
14 Give each other a warm greeting. I pray that God will give peace to everyone who belongs to Christ.[b]
1 Peter 5
Living Bible
1 Peter 5
Living Bible
5 And now, a word to you elders of the church. I, too, am an elder; with my own eyes I saw Christ dying on the cross; and I, too, will share his glory and his honor when he returns. Fellow elders, this is my plea to you: 2 Feed the flock of God; care for it willingly, not grudgingly; not for what you will get out of it but because you are eager to serve the Lord. 3 Don’t be tyrants, but lead them by your good example, 4 and when the Head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor.
5 You younger men, follow the leadership of those who are older. And all of you serve each other with humble spirits, for God gives special blessings to those who are humble, but sets himself against those who are proud. 6 If you will humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, in his good time he will lift you up.
7 Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.
8 Be careful—watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart. 9 Stand firm when he attacks. Trust the Lord; and remember that other Christians all around the world are going through these sufferings too.
10 After you have suffered a little while, our God, who is full of kindness through Christ, will give you his eternal glory. He personally will come and pick you up, and set you firmly in place, and make you stronger than ever. 11 To him be all power over all things, forever and ever. Amen.
12 I am sending this note to you through the courtesy of Silvanus who is, in my opinion, a very faithful brother. I hope I have encouraged you by this letter, for I have given you a true statement of the way God blesses. What I have told you here should help you to stand firmly in his love.
13 The church here in Rome[a]—she is your sister in the Lord—sends you her greetings; so does my son Mark. 14 Give each other the handshake of Christian love. Peace be to all of you who are in Christ.
Peter
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 5:13 The church here in Rome, literally, “She who is at Babylon is likewise chosen”; but Babylon was the Christian nickname for Rome, and the “she” is thought by many to be Peter’s wife to whom reference is made in Matthew 8:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5, etc. Others believe this verse should read: “Your sister church here in Babylon salutes you, and so does my son Mark.”
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
Contemporary English Version (CEV) 
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Living Bible (TLB)
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
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