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.
1 Vecākos jūsu starpā tad nu pamācu es, arī būdams vecākais un Kristus ciešanu liecinieks un nākamās godības dalībnieks: 2 ganiet Dieva ganāmo pulku, kas ir jūsu vadībā, ne piespiesti, bet labprātīgi, kā Dievs to grib, nedz arī negodīgas peļņas dēļ, bet no sirds, 3 ne kā tādi, kas grib valdīt pār viņiem piešķirto daļu, bet būdami par priekšzīmi ganāmam pulkam. 4 Tad, kad Augstais Gans parādīsies, jūs saņemsit nevīstošo godības vainagu. 5 Tāpat, jaunākie, esiet paklausīgi vecākajiem, bet visi, cits citam padodamies, apjozieties ar pazemību. Jo Dievs stāv pretim lepniem, bet pazemīgiem Viņš dod žēlastību. 6 Tad nu pazemojieties apakš Dieva varenās rokas, lai Viņš jūs paaugstinātu savā laikā. 7 Visu savu zūdīšanos metiet uz Viņu, jo Viņš gādā par jums. 8 Esiet skaidrā prātā, esiet modrīgi! Jūsu pretinieks velns staigā apkārt kā lauva rūkdams un meklē, ko tas varētu aprīt. 9 Tam turieties pretī stipri ticībā, zinādami, ka tās pašas ciešanas ir uzliktas jūsu brāļiem pasaulē. 10 Bet visas žēlastības Dievs, kas jūs Kristū ir aicinājis Savā mūžīgajā godībā, Tas jūs pēc īsām ciešanām pats sagatavos, stiprinās, spēcinās, darīs pastāvīgus. 11 Viņam vara mūžu mūžos. Āmen! 12 Ar Silvānu, uzticamo brāli, kā man šķiet, es jums esmu rakstījis īsi, pamācīdams un apliecinādams, ka tā ir patiesa Dieva žēlastība, tanī stāviet! 13 Jūs sveicina līdzi izredzētā draudze Bābelē un mans dēls Marks. 14 Sveiciniet cits citu ar mīlestības skūpstu! Miers jums visiem, kas esat Kristū!