Helping Christian Leaders
1 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 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 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 Be humble in the presence of God's mighty power, and he will honor you when the time comes. 7 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 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 Greetings from the Lord's followers in Babylon. 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.
Draudzes vecajiem un jaunajiem
1 Es mudinu presbiterus jūsu vidū, pats arī būdams presbiters un Kristus ciešanu liecinieks un līdzdalībnieks tai nākamības godībai, kas atklāsies: 2 pārraugiet un ganiet jums Dieva piešķirto ganāmpulku nevis piespiedu kārtā, bet labprātīgi, pēc Dieva gribas, nedz arī negodīgas peļņas dzīti, bet no visas sirds, 3 un nekļūstiet kaklakungi pār jums piešķirto mantojumu, bet esiet par piemēru ganāmpulkam; 4 kad parādīsies Virsgans, jūs saņemsiet nevīstošo godības vainagu. 5 Tāpat arī jūs, jaunākie, pakļaujieties vecākajiem; tērpieties pazemībā cits pret citu, jo
Dievs stājas pretī augstprātīgajiem,
bet pazemīgajiem dod žēlastību.
6 Pazemojieties zem Dieva varenās rokas, lai Dievs jūs paaugstinātu, kad būs pienācis laiks. 7 Visas savas rūpes uzveliet viņam, jo viņš gādā par jums. 8 Esiet skaidrā prātā un nomodā: jūsu pretinieks velns kā lauva rūkdams staigā apkārt, meklēdams, ko varētu aprīt. 9 Tam stājieties pretī stipri ticībā, zinādami, ka visi brāļi pasaulē panes tādas pašas ciešanas. 10 Bet visas žēlastības Dievs, kas Kristū Jēzū jūs aicinājis mūžīgajā godībā, pats atjaunos jūs pēc tam, kad īsu brīdi būsiet cietuši, darīs jūs nelokāmus, stiprus un nesatricināmus. 11 Viņam vara uz mūžiem. Āmen!
Sveicieni
12 Ar Silvāna palīdzību, kuru es uzskatu par uzticamu brāli, es īsos vārdos esmu uzrakstījis mudinājumu un apstiprinājumu, ka tā ir Dieva patiesā žēlastība, kurā jūs stāvat. 13 Jūs sveicina draudze Bābelē, kas izredzēta tāpat kā jūs, un mans dēls Marks. 14 Sveiciniet cits citu ar mīlestības skūpstu! Miers jums visiem, kas esat Kristū!
