劝勉长老
1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： 2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。 3不要辖制托付给你们的羊群，而是要做群羊的榜样。 4等到大牧长显现的时候，你们必得到永不衰残的荣耀冠冕。
5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。 6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。 7你们要把一切忧虑卸给上帝，因为祂眷顾你们。
8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。 9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！
To Older and Younger Believers
1I’m speaking to the elders among you. I was a witness of Christ’s sufferings. And I will also share in the glory that is going to come. I’m making my appeal to you as one who is an elder together with you. 2Be shepherds of God’s flock, the believers under your care. Watch over them, though not because you have to. Instead, do it because you want to. That’s what God wants you to do. Don’t do it because you want to get money in dishonest ways. Do it because you really want to serve. 3Don’t act as if you were a ruler over those under your care. Instead, be examples to the flock. 4The Chief Shepherd will come again. Then you will receive the crown of glory. It is a crown that will never fade away.
5In the same way, I’m speaking to you who are younger. Follow the lead of those who are older. All of you, put on a spirit free of pride toward one another. Put it on as if it were your clothes. Do this because Scripture says,
“God opposes those who are proud.
But he gives grace to those who are humble.” (Proverbs 3:34)
6So make yourselves humble. Put yourselves under God’s mighty hand. Then he will honor you at the right time. 7Turn all your worries over to him. He cares about you.
8Be watchful and control yourselves. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to swallow up. 9Stand up to him. Remain strong in what you believe. You know that you are not alone in your suffering. The family of believers throughout the world is going through the same thing.
10God always gives you all the grace you need. So you will only have to suffer for a little while. Then God himself will build you up again. He will make you strong and steady. And he has chosen you to share in his eternal glory because you belong to Christ. 11Give him the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
12I consider Silas to be a faithful brother. With his help I have written you this short letter. I have written it to encourage you. And I have written to speak the truth about the true grace of God. Remain strong in it.
13The members of the church in Babylon send you their greetings. They were chosen together with you. Mark, my son in the faith, also sends you his greetings.
14Greet each other with a kiss of friendship.
May God give peace to all of you who believe in Christ.
