Upute starješinama i mladićima
1Starješine među vama zaklinjem—ja koji sam također starješina te svjedok Kristovih patnji i sudionik slave koja će se objaviti kad on dođe: 2Pasite stado koje vam je Bog povjerio i nadzirite ga—ali ne prisilno, nego dragovoljno, po Božjoj volji; ne samo radi zarade, nego zbog oduševljenja što služite Bogu. 3Ne postupajte kao tirani, nego im služite kao uzor. 4A kad dođe vrhovni Pastir, primit ćete vječni udjel u njegovoj slavi.
5Mladići, pokoravajte se starješinama. Svi služite jedni drugima ponizno jer
“Bog se protivi oholima,
ali poniznima daruje milost.”5:5 Izreke 3:34.
6Ponizite se zato pred moćnom Božjom rukom pa će vas on uzvisiti kad za to dođe vrijeme. 7Sve svoje brige povjerite njemu jer se on brine za vas.
8Bdijte i čuvajte se! Vaš protivnik đavao obilazi kao ričući lav tražeći koga da proždre. 9Oduprite mu se i budite čvrsti u vjeri. Znajte da vaša kršćanska braća diljem svijeta podnose jednake patnje.
10Bog vas je, u svojoj milosti, pozvao na vječnu slavu u Kristu i on će vas, pošto malo pretrpite, usavršiti, učvrstiti, ojačati i utvrditi. 11Njemu je vlast u vijeke vjekova! Amen.
Pavlovi posljednji pozdravi
12Ovo sam vam pismo napisao s pomoću Sile,5:12 U grčkome: Silvana. kojega smatram vjernim bratom, da vas ohrabrim i da vam posvjedočim da je ovo što sam napisao prava milost Božja. Nje se držite!
13Pozdravljaju vas Crkva u Babilonu, izabrana skupa s vama u Gospodinu, te moj sin Marko. 14Pozdravite jedni druge cjelovom ljubavi.
Mir svima vama koji ste u Kristu!
To the elders and the flock
1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because,
‘God opposes the proud
but shows favour to the humble.’5:5 Prov. 3:34
6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Final greetings
12With the help of Silas,5:12 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.
13She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.
14Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
