The Flock of God

5 ·Now [^LTherefore] I ·have something to say to [exhort; appeal to] the elders in your group. I also am an elder. I ·have seen [was a witness to] ·Christ’s [or the Messiah’s] sufferings [Matt. 16:13–23; Mark 8:27–33; Luke 9:18–22], and I will share in the glory that will be ·shown [revealed] to us. I ·beg [exhort; urge] you to ² ·shepherd [tend] God’s flock [John 21:15–19], ·for whom you are responsible [which is under your care]. ·Watch over [Oversee] them because you want to, not because you are forced. That is how God wants it. Do it because you are ·happy [eager] to serve, not because ·you want money [of greed]. ³ Do not ·be like a ruler over people [^Tlord it over those; dominate those; Matt. 20:25–27; Mark 10:42–45; Luke 22:25–27] ·you are responsible for [under your care; ^Lthose allotted (to you)], but be good examples to ·them [^Lthe flock]. ⁴ Then when the Chief Shepherd [^CChrist] ·comes [^Lappears], you will get a glorious crown that will never ·lose its beauty [fade away; ^Ccrowns for athletic success made from flowers wilted quickly; 1 Cor. 9:25].

⁵ In the same way, younger people should be willing to ·be under [submit/be subject to] ·older people [or the elders]. And all of you should ·be very humble with each other [^Lclothe yourselves with humility toward one another]. [^LBecause:]

⁶ Be humble [^Ltherefore] under God’s powerful hand so he will ·lift you up [exalt you] ·when the right time comes [in due time]. ⁷ ·Give all your worries to him [Cast all your anxiety on him], because he cares about you.

⁸ ·Control [Discipline] yourselves and be ·careful [alert]! The devil, your enemy, ·goes around [prowls] like a roaring lion looking for someone to ·eat [devour]. ⁹ ·Refuse to give in to [Resist] him, by standing strong in your faith. You know that your ·Christian family [community of believers; ^Lbrotherhood] all over the world is having the same kinds of suffering.

¹⁰ And after you suffer ·for a short time [or a little], God, who gives all grace, will ·make everything right [^Lrestore you]. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you ·to share in his glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever [^Linto his eternal glory in Christ]. ¹¹ ·All power is his [or To him be the power] forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

¹² I wrote this short letter ·with the help of Silas [^Lthrough Silvanus; ^Ca variant of Silas; he either helped write the letter or carried it], who I know is a faithful brother in Christ. I wrote to ·encourage [exhort] you and to ·tell [testify/witness to] you that this is the true grace of God. Stand strong in that grace.

¹³ ·The church in Babylon [^LShe who is in Babylon; ^C“Babylon” is probably a veiled (and negative) name for Rome], who was chosen like you, sends you greetings. Mark, ·my son in Christ [^Lmy son; ^Cbut probably a spiritual rather than a physical relationship], also greets you. ¹⁴ ·Give each other a kiss of Christian love when you meet [^LGreet one another with a kiss of love].

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.