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 toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor 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.
勸勉長老
1我作為長老，也作為基督受苦的見證人和同享將要顯明之榮耀的人，勸你們中間作長老的： 2務要牧養上帝託付給你們的羊群，按上帝的旨意照顧他們，不是出於勉強，不是為了謀利，而是出於甘心，出於熱誠。 3不要轄制託付給你們的羊群，而是要做群羊的榜樣。 4等到大牧長顯現的時候，你們必得到永不衰殘的榮耀冠冕。
5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。5·5 箴言3·34。 6所以你們要在上帝大能的手下謙卑，時候到了，祂必提升你們。 7你們要把一切憂慮卸給祂，因為祂眷顧你們。
8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，尋找可以吞吃的人。 9你們要以堅定的信心抵擋牠，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！
